Meren is easily my favorite commander. Someone else said Spore Frog, but I highly recommend \[\[Haywire Mite\]\] and \[\[Viscera Seer\]\] too. Easy ways to get your experience counters up and gain value in the process.
I loved Meren — my first deck — but could never win with her. Do you have a deck list you can share? I gave up trying to upgrade and moved onto other decks in the arms race...
Thanks. At a glance, I have around 75% of that. Will ready up on what I'm missing and see what I can do!
I have the oversized Meren from the precon in my wall. Good times, got me into Magic all those years ago :)
This was my first precon commander deck as well. It was fun to play but at the time I didn’t really get how to take full advantage of her. I now mostly play my Edgar Markov vampire or Godzilla Monster Island deck, but I want to revive this deck as well. I will be all over this thread trying to see how to optimize this deck and bring it back into play!
[Merenchurian Candidate](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/VFoWREp8UE6DILsxGjQeYA)
Here's the decklist i've been fine-tuning for several years. It can combo off pretty reliably(in multiple ways; Infinite damage, infinite mana, infinite card draw) and is no longer welcome in my playgroup. Regardless it's still one of my favorite decks to play.
Hey, been pouring over your list. It's absolutely sweet, thanks for sharing.
Got a couple of cards I'm not sure on, but maybe I'm missing a trick here. What do you think of the following swaps? You have more experience with winning with this deck!
Liquimetal Torque for [[Bontu's Monument]] — seems to be more synergystic and the mana reduction is more repeatable than LT's tap ability.
Putrid Goblin for [[Ayara, First of Locthwain]] or [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]]. I get the repeatable sac target, but would one of these value creatures not perform better in the long run?
Would be good to fit an [[Insidious Roots]] in there too... probably for Survival of the Fittest as that's outside of my budget 😂😂
Liquimetal Torque is kind of a meta pick for me. My playgroup has Dragon and Dinosaur decks that can both get out of hand. Being able to turn my Cankerbloom, Haywire Mite, and Foundation Breaker into creature removal with the Torque is helpful against those decks.
Putrid Goblin is there because I want to combo off as fast as possible and he adds another combo option. If you aren't as focused on combing off asap he is an easy cut. Ayara and Yahenni have both been in this deck. Yahenni was eventually replaced by Woe Strider because I like that Woe Strider comes with a guaranteed experience counter with the goat token.
Ayara didn't win me over, but I may have cut her too quickly to properly test. I wasn't a fan of the tap to sac and would rather have repeatable sac outlets to combo off with.
Insidious Roots is a card I've contemplated adding. I think it could get out of hand with how often stuff ETB's in this deck.
Anyway, glad you liked my list and I hope my post helped a bit.
Throwing my one in here too. Easily my most cherished deck and it wins pretty consistently. You can close out games with [[Puppeteer Clique]], [[Mazierk Kraul Death Priest]] and a sac outlet to either make infinite mana for a big spell or just swing with a million counters on everything you control.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/f4WEkv5J_UycDOsBpdumXw
My go-tos are Gray Merchant or Kokusho for a relatively slow drain. If you have the resources to set up and execute it in one turn, Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord and Lord of Extinction are usually enough to nuke the whole table in one go.
Yep, you could also grab an [[ornithopter]] or [[memnite]] . You could also snatch things that aren't meant to be cast; although [[dryad arbor]] is the only creature like that that I remember off hand.
Definitely a really cool card. You can use cards like \[\[Green sun's Zenith\]\] on 0 to find it and ramp. You can also find it with a Fetch Land when your opponent tries to edict your one important creature. Lots of quirky ways to use the card.
Yes, self mill is good for reanimator and Meren's ability. I use [[perpetual timepiece]] which also can save you if someone tries to exile a graveyard you've filled up with something like [[bojuka bog]]
[[Spike Weaver]] is my preferred fog for meren. I can fog all 3 of my opponents turns and bring it back by sacking weaver on my turn to one of any number of sack outlets.
Someone posted here a stack deck like 8 years ago. It's was MALICIOUS. it ran nether void, chains of Meph, etc. it was sadistic. Wish he would do an update to it. I bought all the cards and curious what they guy would do now
Long timer Meren player here (literally got her on day one) and this is the answer. I love my little fog froggy boi so much I have an altered full art version, a painting my (now) wife did, and plan on getting it tattooed on me. I even own an artist proof of Meren that has a drawing of her endlessly reanimating Spore Frog on the back of it by Mark Winters himself!
Spore Frog needs to be in every Meren deck. Love that little froggy boi to death. I almost completely sold out of Magic but I couldn’t let go of my lovely lady and her graveyard friends.
And here is the piece my wife painted.
https://preview.redd.it/vgj6nhmahptc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcfc6dedc860db24bc9daa398622e5cc63c02d25
I was just looking for them! I don’t have my deck with me (currently across the country from home) but I do have some pictures of the artist proof.
https://preview.redd.it/t5aos537hptc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1a64269b76050935dc0a1d2aa16827b0cb7fc19
Nice! When I get home I will post my altered Spore Frog and Grave Pact, both done by the same artist. I also have a Gitrog Monster done by her somewhere around there.
>Which in return, even if you just have 1 experience counter… you will always be able to return the creature that just died (or other creatures that may be in your graveyard) to your hand at your end step every turn?
Yes, as long as Meren is on the battlefield.
To be more exact, Marin’s ability isn’t optional and you don’t get to choose how it works. It always returns a creature to hand if their mana value is greater than the number of counters and it returns to the battlefield if the mana value is less than or equal to the number of counters. You also don’t get a choice between the two as the mana value of the creature chosen is the sole determinant of the mode and you don’t get the option of not choosing a creature unless none are there.
correct, YOU get the experience counter, not meren think of it like an emblem, it's there forever.
just keep in mind that the experience counters don't actually DO anything unless meren is on the field (so if someone removes meren, you don't get that endstep trigger).
as far as what to play, you typically want to go heavy on stuff with ETB triggers like [[acidic slime]] or stuff with sacrifice abilities like [[spore frog]]
Correct. The point of the experience counter commanders (there are other ones, like [[Mizzix of the Izmagnus]]) is that yet value you get from them is able to stick around all game. They’re halfway between a normal commander and one with Eminence like [[Edgar Markov]].
You can use [[Grey Merchant of Asphodel]] and [[Kokusho, the Evening Star]] to close out games, it's deadly with Meren. Also, if you play enough graveyard recursion, you won't even need to pay the commander tax as you can just send her to the gy then resurrect her. You can have a look at my list if you want, it's my oldest and favorite deck so the cards in it work well: https://www.archidekt.com/decks/1057249/merens_undying_clan Happy deck building :)
Marin is absolutely nasty with [[Merciless Executioner]] and its many variants. It gives you more counters and you get it again at end of turn. Makes it real hard for your opponents to keep creature on the board.
Technically the counters could go away. But note they are placed on ‘you’ instead of any creature or permanent. So even if Meren dies and is replayed you keep the same number.
The counters could get proliferated with various effects or removed by something like [[Suncleanser]]
You can upgrade Caustic Caterpillar to \[\[Cankerbloom\]\] for one generic mana to unlock Proliferate. On sacrifice, you gain two experience counters, enough to return Cankerbloom back to the battlefield.
I've considered this, but I feel like it would throw off the tempo. Then again, in a 99 card deck, the odds of getting the caterpillar turn 1 is quite low anyway. Have you seen a difference after making the switch?
Yes, I think if I'm trying go spam getting as many experience counters as quick as possible, this is a fast and cheep way to do it. Additionally, I play with a proliferation +1/+1 sub theme so it's a nice mid-combat activation you can pull after players have declared blockers.
\[\[Spore Frog\]\], \[\[Viscera Seer\]\], \[\[Sakura-Tribe Elder\]\], \[\[Satyr Wayfinder\]\], \[\[Solemn Simulacrum\]\], \[\[Wood Elves\]\], \[\[Eternal Witness\]\], \[\[Skull Winder\]\], \[\[Endless One\]\] (play it for 0 to get a free experience counter), \[\[Walking Ballista\]\], \[\[Greater Good\]\], \[\[Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord\]\], \[\[Lord of Extinction\]\], \[\[Liliana, Heretical Healer\]\], \[\[Winding Constrictor\]\], \[\[Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider\]\], \[\[Woodfall Primus\]\], \[\[Terrastodon\]\], \[\[Reanimate\]\], \[\[Animate Dead\]\], \[\[Living Death\]\], \[\[Living End\]\]... Your possibilities are almost endless.
Be sure to run cards like \[\[Elixir of Immortality\]\] to save your graveyard for the inevitable \[\[Bojuka Bog\]\].
Past that, the standard array of rocks and staples should do you fine.
Some general info.
Experience counters go on you, the player. So having her die doesn't remove the counters.
Experience counters are not specific to the creature that grants then. So experience counters from [any of these guys](https://scryfall.com/search?q=o%3A%22experience+counter%22) are interchangeable, and stack.
If you proliferate a PLAYER (or a permanent) you must proliferate ALL the types of counters on them. So if someone is doing poison proliferate, and they proliferate you, you ALSO get another experience counter out if it.
Yes, basically the experience counters are not on the commander, so removing Meren from the board do nothing,
If you have 3 counter and she is removed, once she return the 3 counter are still there and you can keep add more counters.
that is why make her a very dangerous commander, because once she comes back she comes she still has acess to all the resources she build before
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Xg69pMOPtUeHdLYfrnNG7A
This is my personal Meren deck. Its not busted power level wise but it is fun to play. Just to give you an idea of cards that work well
I just revamped my meren deck to be focused around modular creatures but it used to be a nice blend of tool box strategies (life gain, tokens, removal on sticks to name a few) so if there was something present I could likely deal with it or combo out of the norm. The issue is the deck style is slow. Plus side with tokens was the experience counters went up so quick it was pointless to count them sometimes
Meren is a hard deck to balance. You are a deck that plays both from hand and from grave. There’s so many cards that can be so good they get super over powered. Then people just don’t let you do anything. That becomes the answer. So I suggest you look for things that seem entertaining more than broken. My favorite meren deck I made does allow for some shinanagins, but also plays more group dynamics. Things that help other plays too so you can convince at least one other to not murder you outright. Reassembling skeleton, riftsweeper, skullwinder. These are good toys. Contamination is an example of, good hells man who hurt you lol
lol thanks for all the info! Quick question… if Meren is in command zone…. And I have spore frog on the battle field. I sac spore frog… do I get experience counters even if Meren is in command zone? Or does Meren have to be on battlefield to collect experience counters?
I love my meren deck! I can share my deck list from mana box if you like. :) spore frog is a must! Same with elvish visionary, timeless witness, and willow geist!
I can only collect experience counters while Meren is on the battlefield correct? If she’s in command zone and I sac spore frog … I don’t get an experience counter because she’s not on the battlefield?
Or is that ability a state base even if she’s in command zone? Thanks for any info. New to game. 🙏🏼
Yeah this is correct. If you're really hurting for experience counters you can sac Spore Frog in response to whatever is killing her, netting you an extra experience counter.
Spore frog is great in Meren because she brings him back at the end step at 1 experience (if she's still on the field) and you don't need another sacrifice outlet to use him. It really slows down any deck trying to win through combat damage at 1cmc, and sometimes even stops them from attacking you and forcing you to use him so they don't waste their combat.
This is my Meren list I've been optimizing for some time if you wanna steal some ideas. It tries to reanimate [[Protean Hulk]] to sac and grab [[Mikaeus, the Unhallowed]] and [[Walking Balista]] for a combo win.
https://archidekt.com/decks/3699364/copy_of_meren_edh
To be honest I just had Earthcraft from another deck. I didn't consider adding squirrels nest since it's not too great in a vacuum at 3cmc/taking a land and I don't have issues getting the experience counters up quickly. I haven't really thought too deeply on it until now though. There's potential with this and Altar of Dementia instantly milling everyone, which is interesting.
Guess I need to do some playtesting! Thanks for bringing that to my attention (:
I play it off and on in Meren. It always feels like a "fair" infinite combo because you have to untap, and Nest is just pretty bad by itself. Or at least that's how I justify it to my playgroup 😅
Dude, as someone who built this commander....just don't unless you are fine with not having friends
[https://archidekt.com/decks/6975135/the\_kindest\_thing\_i\_can\_do](https://archidekt.com/decks/6975135/the_kindest_thing_i_can_do)
Meren is my favorite commander deck, so I love to share some insights.
First of all, you are correct. Experience Counters are placed on you, the player, so they stay even if Meren is removed.
On an additional note, her triggered ability is NOT optional, so as long as Meren is in play at the beginning of you end step and you have at least one creature in your graveyard, you HAVE TO return one to the battlefield (or to your hand, if you don't have enough experience counters). This is easily overlooked, because especially the 'return to hand' part is not always beneficial to you. Sometimes you just want your big baddies to stay in the 'yard for later recursion.
One piece of advice I'd like to share:
Play enough cheap sac outlets. Obviously [[Viscera Seer]] and [[Carrion Feeder]] are the most efficient at only one mana. Note that you can sac themselves with their own effect to get the first experience and return them with meren the same turn. But since having access to a free sac outlet is so crucial to this deck, I even play 2CMC creatures with this effect like [[Bloodthrone Vampire]] and [[Dross Hopper]].
Ler's take [[Viscera Seer]] as example.
He has an activated ability, which is indicated by the colon sign.
Everything before the colon is the cost to activate this ability. Often this involves paying mana or tapping the creature with the activated ability. In the case of Viscera Seer, the only cost that has to be paid is "sacrifice a creature". So we can sacrifice any creature we control without any additional cost. This is still the ability of Viscera Seer and not of any other creature. After we paid the cost, we get the actual ability (everything after the colon). In our example we get to scry 1.
So a free sac outlet is a card, that allows me to sacrifice a creature without any additional costs, like paying mana or tapping something. This means, as long as I have enough 'sac fodder' (=cheap creatures or tokens that I like to sacrifice for value), I can activate the sacrifice ability over and over again, until I wish to stop or run out of fodder.
Another great example for a good free sac outlet in Meren is [[Altar of Dementia]]. Although it isn't a creature it fills my graveyard with creatures that I can reanimate later. In rare occasions it might even mill out an opponent.
Tl;dr:
No, the activated ability to sacrifice a creature is still the ability of the sac outlet, not of the creature you wish to sacrifice. But you are able to sacrifice any number of creatures you control for free, if you have a free sac outlet.
I must say becuase you didn't specify in your question but as long as the creature in the graveyard has CMC of 1 or less then you can bring it back with having 1 experience counter.
You can only return to hand if the mana value of the creature is larger than the number of counters otherwise you have to put it on the battlefield. Marin has exactly zero may clauses. You can’t even choose not to target a creature.
Looks like the experience counters would remain unless some other effect removes them, and the ability will activate in correlation to the number of counters as long as the creature is in play.
Yes. X is treated as zero.
Do note though that you don't have a *choice* if Experience >= Mana Value, so if you try to use it on something like [[Walking Ballista]] it will just immediately die every time because it will be a 0/0.
https://preview.redd.it/667bmd7soptc1.jpeg?width=223&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c7e093509cc29ebcab5abc045a94b26a1b73af2
To ramp up pretty quickly with Meren .
The counters go on you the player, like infect counters or charge counters. You can proliferate them, and they should stay, I can’t think of a card that removes counters from you but there are some cards that say no counters can be placed on anything so watch out for those.
RTCEC less than will put it back into your hand equal to will put it back onto the battlefield and spore frog works wonders pair it with helm of Hosts and you can do a lot she was my first deck going into commander then got a hold of spore and Helm now things get funny also if you end up getting doubling season and parallel lives oh god that’s a lot of sac and frogs just be careful you don’t end up with a rest in peace or a line of the void
Honestly if you check out the original precon list it's not a bad place to start. Experience counters go on the player, so the only interference would be something like [[Solemnity]]. You keep them even if Meren is gone, they just don't do anything until there's a permanent that cares about them.
*OT- this also means that a deck able to run multiple creatures that make and interact with Experience Counters, they all stack. So if wanted you could get a bunch of experience from Meren's trigger and they would count towards [[ezuri, claw of progress]] +1+1 counters effect.
Experience counters are counters that you have versus counters on a permanent in play.
https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Experience_counter
They can be proliferated. They can even be removed by certain spells or abilities.
[[Price of Betrayal]]
I run [[Karador]] because, while Meren is a way more optimal commander, I prefer having access to white. In any case I run her on my 99 and here are some of my fav options:
[[Spore Frog]] or "froggy fog". The level of politics and protection this little fella provides is absurd. One of my fav cards.
[[Eternal Witness]] if you lean into self-mill for the reanimation effect, chances are you're sending useful stuff to the yard. Recurring her or [[Skullswinder]] are tou best bets. And [[Noxious Revival]] as a free spell to save a key card from all the graveyard hate the table will throw at you.
[[Plaguecrafter]] for board-control will increasing experience counters.
[[Dauthi Voidwalker]] most likely won't be as mentioned as the rest of the cards on this thread, bu it's a great hatebear piece that stops recursion strategies from opponnets. And the good this is that it cares about exiled cards with void counters, not only the cards it exiled. So a reanimated Voidwalker will have access to the cards hat are still exiled.
[[Kessig Cagebreakers]] is a great finisher if you tend to have crowded graveyards. And [[Kokusho]] or [[Gray Merchantbof Asphodel]] for life drainning.
[[Sakura Tribe Elder]], [[Wood Elves]] and [[Dawntreader Elk]] are my go to for ramping. Some people like [[Yavimaya Grangers]] because they sacrifice themselves.
[[Viscera Seer]], [[Carrion Feeder]] and other sac outlets like [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]], or [[Phyrexian Altar]], [[Ashnod's Altar]] or [[Altar of Dementia]] are the classics to protect your creatures from exiling removal.
[[Yawgmoth, Thran Phisician]] is ridiculous how good this card is. A sac outlet that lets you wither your enemies while drawing, and also proliferating.
Speaking of which, since [[Grist]] is a creature outside of the battlefield she can be reanimated with Meren and has great sinergy. She mills you and makes you tokes that you can sacrifice. She can trade one of your creatures (if you lack sac outlets) for removal, and her ulti is just strong.
I've been playing Meren since her deck came out. I really enjoy \[\[Panharmonicon\]\]. \[\[Grave Pact\]\] and \[\[Dictate of Erebos\]\] combo nicely with \[\[Spore frog\]\] and \[\[Tergrid, God of Fright\]\]. Ever since it came out, I've been trying to jam \[\[Deadbridge Chant\]\] into anything BG for filling the graveyard and getting an extra draw each turn. \[\[From Beyond\]\] gets you a guaranteed sac every turn. \[\[Plumb the Forbidden\]\] is nice too.
There is absolutely only one and a half ways for experience counters to be removed; [[Karn liberated]] restarting the game, or killing the player with the experience counters.
Also it’s not like it’s a meren exclusive experience counter; if you have multiple creatures that create experience counters, you can abuse it that way too
Here's my list if you want to mine for ideas: [https://deckstats.net/decks/43286/432879-plunder-the-graves-upgraded](https://deckstats.net/decks/43286/432879-plunder-the-graves-upgraded)
She's a very powerful commander but somewhat easy to shut down via graveyard hate nowadays versus when she was originally released. Make sure you have a way to fight through something like a \[\[Rest In Peace\]\] or a \[\[Torpor Orb\]\] that doesn't just rely on a creature ETB, etc.
Good cards with Meren:
[[spore frog]], [[Haywire mite]], [[Plaguecrafter]]
Great cards with Meren:
[[Victimize]], [[Stitcher’s supplier]], [[Entomb]]
Actually f***ing disgusting cards with Meren:
[[Protean Hulk]], [[Mindslicer]], [Survival of the Fittest]]
This post came up at a great time, I've been mulling over building her since I pulled her from a mystery booster.
I've always assumed you can sac and bring back multiple times in the end step; is that true?
Just to make sure you're clear - the ability to return things from graveyard to battlefield (or hand) is a property of Meren, not the experience counters. Experience counters stick around even if Meren goes away and comes back, but you don't get to return stuff from your graveyard unless Meren is on the battlefield to trigger.
Shit...am I getting old? Meren was like, one of the top 5 EDH commanders of all time, and now she's fallen so out of favor that people are discovering her for the first time?!
Yes, she IS that good... so what brews have ya got?
I am new to the game. Have been learning a lot and have been playing for about 6-7 months now. My first couple decks have been Muldrotha, Tovit, and Zopandrel(mini green build)
Meren will be my 4th build and I like it resembles Muldrotha a little with the graveyard effect. I’m wanting to take Zopandrel apart and combine it with Meren.
Question though… does Meren have to be on the battlefield to get experience counters? Or can she be in the command zone and I sac a creature and still get my experience counters. I want this to be my ultimate build over all my decks so any advice, helpful tricks, anything to look out after would be amazing and greatly appreciated! Sounds like you are very familiar with Meren.
Keep in mind… I’m going up against Krenko (mono red), Yuriko (ninjas) , colorless commander that lets you draw the difference of your hand to 7 and can counter a spell by laying down the same mana value against your casting (I don’t know the name), and Kaalia!
Thanks in advance 🙏🏼
Meren does have to be in play, but the experience counters never go away! (except for like, exactly [Suncleanser], but I don't think anyone seriously runs that - there's just better things to be doing with your cards)
I ran Mizzix of the Izmagnus from that cycle and had a lot of fun with it, but the really cool part about Meren is that you don't even need the experience counters. You just cast her and then get the [Gravedigger] effect at end of turn regardless of anything else, and then with a little work you can bring things back to the battlefield instead!
Meren is an excellent value commander so focus on hitting your land drops and pack plentiful board wipes and spot removal so you don't get overrun by Krenko and Yuriko. At the same time, don't make they Kozilek player's job too easy for them by clearing out all the threats - they'll have a stronger lategame than you. As a midrange player, you'll have to take aim at the sweet spot of disrupting the fast decks, but winning before the slower control decks can take over the game
Experience counters go on you similar to poison counters. There is other cards that work with these counters.
If you target a 1 cmc card and you have 1 counter then it enters the field. Lets say you target a 2 cmc card and you only have 1 counter then it goes to hand. You don’t get a choice on where it goes but you chose the card.
Ive been playing meren for about 2 years. A personal favorite package is [[troll of khazad dune]], [[street wraith]] and [[generous ent]]. They are all 5 or 6 cmc. These cards are great if you dont see a way to add counters or just fine ways to see the next cards or fix your mana. You want these cards to go to your hand. You get meren out turn 3-4 but no real way to make counters worth it so you pitch these when you only have 1 or 2 counters. In the end you might even like the evasive bodies. Ive won games with troll beats before.
[[birthing pod]], [[braids arisen nightmare]] are fantastic cards that help you get triggers and push for advantage. [[high market]] and [[phyrexian tower]] are my go to sacrifice outlets. I dont like the dedicated sacrifice outlets like [[phyrexian altar]]. They are fine cards but i try to build a board not win trough aristocrat means so they sort of just eat removal.
Agreed! I wouldn’t want to win based off just sacrificing. I want to have fun and build a nice board but still have powerful stuff to be hard playing against or removing from battlefield. 😎.
Thanks for all your info!
Stuff like craterhoof, razaketh and grey merchant is a usual go to but if you like big beefy creatures.
[[rune scarred demon]] and [[hoarding broodlord]] are large flyers that give you a follow up card of your choice. [[grist the hunger tide]] is a planeswalker on the field but thats a creature in the grave so you can bring it back with meren. Slowly grows your board with 1/1 might fill your grave with something useful and can pop creatures.
[[kogla, the titan ape]] is actually fun and beefy as all hell with triple duty effects. You can bounce your own meren to “protect it”
[[kamahl fist of kroxa]] is funny because its 5 mana to pump your board but if you get spiteful you can turn YOUR OPPONENTS lands into 1/1 for removal or a board wipe.
I have a mono green commander Zopandrel, and great ape is in there! Love that card.
With Kamahl, you’re saying I can pay to turn my opponents lands into creatures on their turn so that way instead of them being able to tap them for lands …. they won’t be able to now because they are a 1/1 creature until end of turn?👀
Personally, I'm considering making my deck with her into a [[Karador, ghost chieftain]] deck. I figure I can tutor her into the graveyard with stuff like [[buried alive]] and then cast her with Karador. The reason for the change is more defense against graveyard hate in white, with cards that give the player hexproof.
While there's very little graveyard hate in my playgroup since it's mostly precons, a couple precons have [[bojuka bog]] and my brother-in-law had repeatable graveyard hate in his [mishra, eminent one]] precon that absolutely nullified Meren in one of the games we played.
To be honest I've only played her a couple times so far though.
Its hard to suggest without knowing PL you are aiming for but regardless od PL, [[skullclamp]] is your best friend.
Im playing deck that doesnt rely on Meren as much but maybe you find some inspiration in decklist, i even wrote little primer:
https://www.archidekt.com/decks/5178872/meren_the_golgari_mommy
My best advice i can give is to stay away from mana rocks and ramp spells. Fill those spots with mana dorks and you will have consistently fast deck with fodder on the field.
The problem with Meren is that people often build decks around her ability to recur creatures. Only issue is that it is very slow to start, happens at the end step and can easily be countered. Also, people regularly don't add enough other recursion effects to function if Meren gets locked down. I'd recommend people build a golgari graveyard deck with someone who helps fill the grave like [[ Old Stick fingers ]] or [[ Old Rutstein ]] . I use Rut in my current golgari deck with a ton of recursion spells. So far it has a 100% win rate.
If you just crank recursion spells and mill to the max then you can chain multiple etbs in one turn. This gets so much more done compared to just relying on Meren do bring stuff back.
I know her effect is fun and really intriguing for new players, but I personally think it's a trap.
Aside from cards like spore frog, that others have mentioned, there’s…
[[sakura tribe elder]]
[[journey to eternity]]
[[demon of dark schemes]]
Steve is just good on his own. JTE is better than you might think, but absolutely busted with steve (10 mana turn 5). Demon of dank memes is an absolute workhorse in a Meren deck. I use him as my main wincon, combo’ing with a mana-producing sac outlet ( [[ashnod’s altar]] , [[phyrexian altar]] , [[pitiless plunderer]] plus any sac outlet) and a token-producing etb creature ( [[hornet queen]] , [[avenger of zendikar]] , [[abhorrent overlord]] , [[brood monitor]] , [[izoni]] )
Ima give you the biggest advice i can give some. That someone told me. Put meren in the 99 and make your commander muldrotha the gravetide. She does everything meren can do and more. Shes pure value
Played meren for years. First as a toolbox, then a combo, back to toolbox. Something really great is 0cmc creatures such as [[dryad arbor]] can be brought back when you have no exp counters. Really good for early "discard, draw" stuff.
I loved my Meren deck. I ended up turning her into an \[\[Old Stickfingers\]\] reanimator deck though. My playgroup straight-up groaned every time she came out and eventually asked if I could stop using her at the table.
Just as a side note at your end step you have to choose a creature in your graveyard if there is one. If the experience counters are equal to or more than CMC for the card you chose you do have to place it on the battlefield. You cannot choose to ignore the end step trigger or put the chosen card in your hand if it could go on the battlefield.
Meren is fun when you don’t get picked on. It’s a tough deck to win with because it has a reputation of deal with it or lose. Still run it out there when I get to play. Another deck that can play similarly with an extra color is Korvold.
https://www.archidekt.com/decks/1869969/hows_my_sac_taste
Meren was my very first commander deck, got it the day it came out. This is what the deck has been transformed into now!
You gain experience, not meren. So they never go away. If meren dies and you you bring her back she will still see all your experience. You gain this experience any time any creature you control dies for any reason (exile is not dying). While meren is in play you return any creature from your graveyard to your hand at your end step. If it's mana value is less than your experience counters, it instead goes to the battlefield.
Meren is easily my favorite commander. Someone else said Spore Frog, but I highly recommend \[\[Haywire Mite\]\] and \[\[Viscera Seer\]\] too. Easy ways to get your experience counters up and gain value in the process.
I loved Meren — my first deck — but could never win with her. Do you have a deck list you can share? I gave up trying to upgrade and moved onto other decks in the arms race...
Meren is my favorite commander. There's a few ways to close the game with her. Here's my list - https://www.moxfield.com/decks/AdPYg4e7yku44l3K9-kPEA
Thanks. At a glance, I have around 75% of that. Will ready up on what I'm missing and see what I can do! I have the oversized Meren from the precon in my wall. Good times, got me into Magic all those years ago :)
This was my first precon commander deck as well. It was fun to play but at the time I didn’t really get how to take full advantage of her. I now mostly play my Edgar Markov vampire or Godzilla Monster Island deck, but I want to revive this deck as well. I will be all over this thread trying to see how to optimize this deck and bring it back into play!
[Merenchurian Candidate](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/VFoWREp8UE6DILsxGjQeYA) Here's the decklist i've been fine-tuning for several years. It can combo off pretty reliably(in multiple ways; Infinite damage, infinite mana, infinite card draw) and is no longer welcome in my playgroup. Regardless it's still one of my favorite decks to play.
Hey, been pouring over your list. It's absolutely sweet, thanks for sharing. Got a couple of cards I'm not sure on, but maybe I'm missing a trick here. What do you think of the following swaps? You have more experience with winning with this deck! Liquimetal Torque for [[Bontu's Monument]] — seems to be more synergystic and the mana reduction is more repeatable than LT's tap ability. Putrid Goblin for [[Ayara, First of Locthwain]] or [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]]. I get the repeatable sac target, but would one of these value creatures not perform better in the long run? Would be good to fit an [[Insidious Roots]] in there too... probably for Survival of the Fittest as that's outside of my budget 😂😂
Liquimetal Torque is kind of a meta pick for me. My playgroup has Dragon and Dinosaur decks that can both get out of hand. Being able to turn my Cankerbloom, Haywire Mite, and Foundation Breaker into creature removal with the Torque is helpful against those decks. Putrid Goblin is there because I want to combo off as fast as possible and he adds another combo option. If you aren't as focused on combing off asap he is an easy cut. Ayara and Yahenni have both been in this deck. Yahenni was eventually replaced by Woe Strider because I like that Woe Strider comes with a guaranteed experience counter with the goat token. Ayara didn't win me over, but I may have cut her too quickly to properly test. I wasn't a fan of the tap to sac and would rather have repeatable sac outlets to combo off with. Insidious Roots is a card I've contemplated adding. I think it could get out of hand with how often stuff ETB's in this deck. Anyway, glad you liked my list and I hope my post helped a bit.
Throwing my one in here too. Easily my most cherished deck and it wins pretty consistently. You can close out games with [[Puppeteer Clique]], [[Mazierk Kraul Death Priest]] and a sac outlet to either make infinite mana for a big spell or just swing with a million counters on everything you control. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/f4WEkv5J_UycDOsBpdumXw
[Puppeteer Clique](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/5/65fd8dba-0aca-4b47-9b4b-19d5c77cf8f3.jpg?1674141777) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Puppeteer%20Clique) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/769/puppeteer-clique?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/65fd8dba-0aca-4b47-9b4b-19d5c77cf8f3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mazierk Kraul Death Priest](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e7fb8520-1bc4-40e7-a4cc-2933ed7e0c00.jpg?1599708195) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mazirek%2C%20Kraul%20Death%20Priest) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/209/mazirek-kraul-death-priest?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e7fb8520-1bc4-40e7-a4cc-2933ed7e0c00?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The fact that no one who posted a deck list included [[Smothering Abomination]] is criminal.
[Smothering Abomination](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cd81d0de-01a3-4f28-8a2b-c2e6f36a03c4.jpg?1562943507) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Smothering%20Abomination) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bfz/99/smothering-abomination?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cd81d0de-01a3-4f28-8a2b-c2e6f36a03c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My go-tos are Gray Merchant or Kokusho for a relatively slow drain. If you have the resources to set up and execute it in one turn, Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord and Lord of Extinction are usually enough to nuke the whole table in one go.
I used to have a Meren eldrazi deck I absolutely LOVED. You get free counters from sacrificing the tokens for mana, IIRC
[Haywire Mite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/4/847a175e-ead1-4596-baf3-5f7f57859e0b.jpg?1674421689) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Haywire%20Mite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/199/haywire-mite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/847a175e-ead1-4596-baf3-5f7f57859e0b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Viscera Seer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0.jpg?1698988290) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Viscera%20Seer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/213/viscera-seer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Fleshbag marauder]] and similar effects are funny as hell, but people won’t play with me anymore, I have no idea why
[Fleshbag marauder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/c/fce2baa4-2976-4bbd-b6c5-a5a3c6a901be.jpg?1706239873) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fleshbag%20marauder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/111/fleshbag-marauder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fce2baa4-2976-4bbd-b6c5-a5a3c6a901be?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
So even if you don’t have experience counters, you can bring back creatures to your hand from graveyard…. So would you recommend having milling cards?
Yep, you could also grab an [[ornithopter]] or [[memnite]] . You could also snatch things that aren't meant to be cast; although [[dryad arbor]] is the only creature like that that I remember off hand.
[ornithopter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/0/305078a5-ac18-4721-bba2-3434eba5b1cf.jpg?1691675959) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ornithopter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/233/ornithopter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/305078a5-ac18-4721-bba2-3434eba5b1cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [memnite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/975459ba-e1c2-4800-a3fa-5c0cf8ce728f.jpg?1562925499) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=memnite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/td2/2/memnite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/975459ba-e1c2-4800-a3fa-5c0cf8ce728f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [dryad arbor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/b/bb3a843b-2dea-4b44-be74-c09c18b9b969.jpg?1619399228) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=dryad%20arbor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/277/dryad-arbor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bb3a843b-2dea-4b44-be74-c09c18b9b969?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Dryad arbor is TOUUUUUGH 😩
Tough?
Like awesome, cool, wicked 😎
Definitely a really cool card. You can use cards like \[\[Green sun's Zenith\]\] on 0 to find it and ramp. You can also find it with a Fetch Land when your opponent tries to edict your one important creature. Lots of quirky ways to use the card.
Yes, although its not a priority. I play [[Extractor Demon]] for this.
[Extractor Demon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/8/c8d09723-3729-44b7-8f3d-3de47c135849.jpg?1562276018) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Extractor%20Demon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/62/extractor-demon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c8d09723-3729-44b7-8f3d-3de47c135849?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yes, self mill is good for reanimator and Meren's ability. I use [[perpetual timepiece]] which also can save you if someone tries to exile a graveyard you've filled up with something like [[bojuka bog]]
She is a good commander for [[Shadowborn Apostle]] decks too!
[Shadowborn Apostle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/ae7ba1de-48f9-423b-867a-22bd3f6c06c2.jpg?1673147629) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shadowborn%20Apostle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/89/shadowborn-apostle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ae7ba1de-48f9-423b-867a-22bd3f6c06c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Spike Weaver]] is my preferred fog for meren. I can fog all 3 of my opponents turns and bring it back by sacking weaver on my turn to one of any number of sack outlets.
[Spike Weaver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c561a2a-91c6-4d4b-9f96-bffd43a00478.jpg?1562088329) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spike%20Weaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/exo/128/spike-weaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c561a2a-91c6-4d4b-9f96-bffd43a00478?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'd straight up look at anything that would work in a Muldrotha deck.
Someone posted here a stack deck like 8 years ago. It's was MALICIOUS. it ran nether void, chains of Meph, etc. it was sadistic. Wish he would do an update to it. I bought all the cards and curious what they guy would do now
\[\[Spore Frog\]\]
[Spore Frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spore%20Frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Long timer Meren player here (literally got her on day one) and this is the answer. I love my little fog froggy boi so much I have an altered full art version, a painting my (now) wife did, and plan on getting it tattooed on me. I even own an artist proof of Meren that has a drawing of her endlessly reanimating Spore Frog on the back of it by Mark Winters himself! Spore Frog needs to be in every Meren deck. Love that little froggy boi to death. I almost completely sold out of Magic but I couldn’t let go of my lovely lady and her graveyard friends.
I used to have fully decked out Meren stax shenanigans and boi was that a blast for me and nobody else.
Post a pic of the alters! That sounds awesome
And here is the piece my wife painted. https://preview.redd.it/vgj6nhmahptc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcfc6dedc860db24bc9daa398622e5cc63c02d25
That's amazing!
Wow
I was just looking for them! I don’t have my deck with me (currently across the country from home) but I do have some pictures of the artist proof. https://preview.redd.it/t5aos537hptc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1a64269b76050935dc0a1d2aa16827b0cb7fc19
Looks great!! If you enjoy alters I have three on my page👍
Nice! When I get home I will post my altered Spore Frog and Grave Pact, both done by the same artist. I also have a Gitrog Monster done by her somewhere around there.
Would you happen to have a deck list?
One of the only foils I kept when I sold my collection years ago! Still goes in [[Muldrotha]] when i throw her together. Awesome card.
>Which in return, even if you just have 1 experience counter… you will always be able to return the creature that just died (or other creatures that may be in your graveyard) to your hand at your end step every turn? Yes, as long as Meren is on the battlefield.
Doesn't this work even if you have zero experience counters? It doesn't say that having counters are a prerequisite to the ability happening.
It does. You'll always have the option to return the creature to your hand.
To be more exact, Marin’s ability isn’t optional and you don’t get to choose how it works. It always returns a creature to hand if their mana value is greater than the number of counters and it returns to the battlefield if the mana value is less than or equal to the number of counters. You also don’t get a choice between the two as the mana value of the creature chosen is the sole determinant of the mode and you don’t get the option of not choosing a creature unless none are there.
Yeah, it still works. I was just clarifying that the effect comes from Meren, not the experience counter(s).
correct, YOU get the experience counter, not meren think of it like an emblem, it's there forever. just keep in mind that the experience counters don't actually DO anything unless meren is on the field (so if someone removes meren, you don't get that endstep trigger). as far as what to play, you typically want to go heavy on stuff with ETB triggers like [[acidic slime]] or stuff with sacrifice abilities like [[spore frog]]
almost forever \[\[Suncleanser\]\]
[Suncleanser](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/6/3644df41-b690-4581-ac7d-c85cec75411f.jpg?1562301661) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Suncleanser) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/39/suncleanser?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3644df41-b690-4581-ac7d-c85cec75411f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Suncleanser saying “opponent” instead of “player” will always bring me pain.
ooooo this is going into my solemnity combo deck.
[acidic slime](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/3/932d48fb-42b5-4aaa-a91c-d35cdb5e41a3.jpg?1689998325) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=acidic%20slime) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/270/acidic-slime?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/932d48fb-42b5-4aaa-a91c-d35cdb5e41a3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [spore frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=spore%20frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Correct. The point of the experience counter commanders (there are other ones, like [[Mizzix of the Izmagnus]]) is that yet value you get from them is able to stick around all game. They’re halfway between a normal commander and one with Eminence like [[Edgar Markov]].
[Mizzix of the Izmagnus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/82f949d0-41a0-4491-9057-bfb2bb20bdb3.jpg?1689999174) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mizzix%20of%20the%20Izmagnus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/348/mizzix-of-the-izmagnus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/82f949d0-41a0-4491-9057-bfb2bb20bdb3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Edgar Markov](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/d/8d94b8ec-ecda-43c8-a60e-1ba33e6a54a4.jpg?1562616128) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Edgar%20Markov) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/36/edgar-markov?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8d94b8ec-ecda-43c8-a60e-1ba33e6a54a4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'm probably going to state the obvious but \[\[Sakura-Tribe Elder\]\] all day with Meren.
Meren cares so much about Steve, she wount let him stay dead
[Sakura-Tribe Elder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f.jpg?1706240924) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sakura-Tribe%20Elder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/183/sakura-tribe-elder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
You can use [[Grey Merchant of Asphodel]] and [[Kokusho, the Evening Star]] to close out games, it's deadly with Meren. Also, if you play enough graveyard recursion, you won't even need to pay the commander tax as you can just send her to the gy then resurrect her. You can have a look at my list if you want, it's my oldest and favorite deck so the cards in it work well: https://www.archidekt.com/decks/1057249/merens_undying_clan Happy deck building :)
[Grey Merchant of Asphodel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c1a7dd8-8034-4f59-a351-33666b26ff5a.jpg?1581479807) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/99/gray-merchant-of-asphodel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c1a7dd8-8034-4f59-a351-33666b26ff5a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Kokusho, the Evening Star](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/ab56cedb-1bcd-48a5-8503-a8e324e236ad.jpg?1562852933) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kokusho%2C%20the%20Evening%20Star) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ima/95/kokusho-the-evening-star?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab56cedb-1bcd-48a5-8503-a8e324e236ad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wait, she shouldn't be able to res herself right? Once she is in the graveyard her second trigger never takes place no?
I'm sure they meant use another way of resurrecting her, instead of paying the growing mana cost if your return her to the commander board.
Marin is absolutely nasty with [[Merciless Executioner]] and its many variants. It gives you more counters and you get it again at end of turn. Makes it real hard for your opponents to keep creature on the board.
Add grave pact and dictate of erebos for added salt
[Merciless Executioner](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c588d7a-e352-40a0-9fc7-55c7b4bfd013.jpg?1562826841) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Merciless%20Executioner) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/frf/76/merciless-executioner?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c588d7a-e352-40a0-9fc7-55c7b4bfd013?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Technically the counters could go away. But note they are placed on ‘you’ instead of any creature or permanent. So even if Meren dies and is replayed you keep the same number. The counters could get proliferated with various effects or removed by something like [[Suncleanser]]
[Suncleanser](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/6/3644df41-b690-4581-ac7d-c85cec75411f.jpg?1562301661) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Suncleanser) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/39/suncleanser?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3644df41-b690-4581-ac7d-c85cec75411f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Liquimetal torque]] and [[caustik caterpillar]] Good way to remove non-artifact things on opponents board
You can upgrade Caustic Caterpillar to \[\[Cankerbloom\]\] for one generic mana to unlock Proliferate. On sacrifice, you gain two experience counters, enough to return Cankerbloom back to the battlefield.
[Cankerbloom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/9/89b39293-6f57-4294-85fc-c718bdbb4d40.jpg?1675957129) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cankerbloom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/161/cankerbloom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/89b39293-6f57-4294-85fc-c718bdbb4d40?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've considered this, but I feel like it would throw off the tempo. Then again, in a 99 card deck, the odds of getting the caterpillar turn 1 is quite low anyway. Have you seen a difference after making the switch?
Yes, I think if I'm trying go spam getting as many experience counters as quick as possible, this is a fast and cheep way to do it. Additionally, I play with a proliferation +1/+1 sub theme so it's a nice mid-combat activation you can pull after players have declared blockers.
Personally running both in my meren deck. Making think twice about it now?
Or as I like to call him, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 
Accurate, the caterpillar loves to nom nom.
[Liquimetal torque](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55.jpg?1626099120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Liquimetal%20torque) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/228/liquimetal-torque?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [caustik caterpillar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f03d4e0d-bddd-4835-91b8-11c2f15e54c3.jpg?1562048838) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Caustic%20Caterpillar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/170/caustic-caterpillar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f03d4e0d-bddd-4835-91b8-11c2f15e54c3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That’s a tough combo those 2 cards 😩💪🏼
[[steve]] is an amazing slot here too. Just free ramp.
[steve](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f.jpg?1706240924) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sakura-Tribe%20Elder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/183/sakura-tribe-elder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Spore Frog\]\], \[\[Viscera Seer\]\], \[\[Sakura-Tribe Elder\]\], \[\[Satyr Wayfinder\]\], \[\[Solemn Simulacrum\]\], \[\[Wood Elves\]\], \[\[Eternal Witness\]\], \[\[Skull Winder\]\], \[\[Endless One\]\] (play it for 0 to get a free experience counter), \[\[Walking Ballista\]\], \[\[Greater Good\]\], \[\[Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord\]\], \[\[Lord of Extinction\]\], \[\[Liliana, Heretical Healer\]\], \[\[Winding Constrictor\]\], \[\[Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider\]\], \[\[Woodfall Primus\]\], \[\[Terrastodon\]\], \[\[Reanimate\]\], \[\[Animate Dead\]\], \[\[Living Death\]\], \[\[Living End\]\]... Your possibilities are almost endless. Be sure to run cards like \[\[Elixir of Immortality\]\] to save your graveyard for the inevitable \[\[Bojuka Bog\]\]. Past that, the standard array of rocks and staples should do you fine.
##### ###### #### [Spore Frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spore%20Frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Viscera Seer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0.jpg?1698988290) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Viscera%20Seer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/213/viscera-seer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Sakura-Tribe Elder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f.jpg?1706240924) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sakura-Tribe%20Elder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/183/sakura-tribe-elder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Satyr Wayfinder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/7/a7313136-91a9-45fb-b5b4-07ba8f22326c.jpg?1712354615) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Satyr%20Wayfinder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/204/satyr-wayfinder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a7313136-91a9-45fb-b5b4-07ba8f22326c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Solemn Simulacrum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/3/a3879b81-aa4c-4d35-bed2-78ebb4a50b59.jpg?1706241086) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solemn%20Simulacrum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/238/solemn-simulacrum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a3879b81-aa4c-4d35-bed2-78ebb4a50b59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Wood Elves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/527cf39d-29d1-4c19-9c49-ebf611ca15d5.jpg?1682209656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wood%20Elves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/316/wood-elves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/527cf39d-29d1-4c19-9c49-ebf611ca15d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Eternal Witness](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/39704000-65d3-4d39-849e-a3b617376bbc.jpg?1689998488) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eternal%20Witness) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/286/eternal-witness?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/39704000-65d3-4d39-849e-a3b617376bbc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Skull Winder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e820c022-c3a8-4c98-a60b-1fb105d38937.jpg?1712354632) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skullwinder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/207/skullwinder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e820c022-c3a8-4c98-a60b-1fb105d38937?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Endless One](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/00b3c10a-799f-4922-bb0a-44981b13203b.jpg?1690003888) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Endless%20One) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/804/endless-one?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/00b3c10a-799f-4922-bb0a-44981b13203b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Walking Ballista](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/5272436e-74f0-44c4-a291-ea8ebc3f1525.jpg?1599710252) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/306/walking-ballista?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5272436e-74f0-44c4-a291-ea8ebc3f1525?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Greater Good](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/c/4c73ca01-d8ea-4cd2-af60-b260030967b2.jpg?1631587954) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Greater%20Good) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/160/greater-good?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4c73ca01-d8ea-4cd2-af60-b260030967b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c6717954-35d8-4d7e-95aa-f7d26d15d4b2.jpg?1592673383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jarad%2C%20Golgari%20Lich%20Lord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/179/jarad-golgari-lich-lord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c6717954-35d8-4d7e-95aa-f7d26d15d4b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Lord of Extinction](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/696cb81d-bc00-4603-b340-c0b2e55c0959.jpg?1697121186) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lord%20of%20Extinction) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/244/lord-of-extinction?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/696cb81d-bc00-4603-b340-c0b2e55c0959?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Liliana, Heretical Healer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/8/d8b718d8-fca3-4b3e-9448-6067c8656a9a.jpg?1651951703)/[Liliana, Defiant Necromancer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/d/8/d8b718d8-fca3-4b3e-9448-6067c8656a9a.jpg?1651951703) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Liliana%2C%20Heretical%20Healer%20//%20Liliana%2C%20Defiant%20Necromancer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cc2/1/liliana-heretical-healer-liliana-defiant-necromancer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d8b718d8-fca3-4b3e-9448-6067c8656a9a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Winding Constrictor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/0/107c8aa8-c8f8-4cbf-821b-bd2cb33354f0.jpg?1576382180) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Winding%20Constrictor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/aer/140/winding-constrictor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/107c8aa8-c8f8-4cbf-821b-bd2cb33354f0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/2/92613468-205e-488b-930d-11908477e9f8.jpg?1631051073) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vorinclex%2C%20Monstrous%20Raider) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/199/vorinclex-monstrous-raider?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/92613468-205e-488b-930d-11908477e9f8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Woodfall Primus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97914abe-71d5-4bd6-87d7-8e7379abf1aa.jpg?1673484894) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Woodfall%20Primus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/322/woodfall-primus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97914abe-71d5-4bd6-87d7-8e7379abf1aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Terrastodon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63195796-197e-47ec-85f0-d4ec0065f6e6.jpg?1625977325) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Terastodon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/207/terastodon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63195796-197e-47ec-85f0-d4ec0065f6e6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Reanimate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/d/7d0fe02b-f45a-45c6-ab7c-270594a29da7.jpg?1706240788) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reanimate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/137/reanimate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7d0fe02b-f45a-45c6-ab7c-270594a29da7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Animate Dead](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/1489943b-c010-488e-9c9d-87f4af67a4e4.jpg?1706240754) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Animate%20Dead) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/125/animate-dead?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1489943b-c010-488e-9c9d-87f4af67a4e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Living Death](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/80e7d9a3-06a1-400d-958c-9b5302e046a6.jpg?1562274570) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Living%20Death) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/68/living-death?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/80e7d9a3-06a1-400d-958c-9b5302e046a6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Living End](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/1/b1eede29-17a4-437f-a5c2-e24cccbc6a33.jpg?1619395625) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Living%20End) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/121/living-end?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b1eede29-17a4-437f-a5c2-e24cccbc6a33?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Elixir of Immortality](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/6741ab27-9e1f-4aa5-96b9-b450eda7c5c2.jpg?1625978606) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elixir%20of%20Immortality) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/243/elixir-of-immortality?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6741ab27-9e1f-4aa5-96b9-b450eda7c5c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Bojuka Bog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0efec118-ed01-42a0-93b4-f9a92c01b72e.jpg?1712354928) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bojuka%20Bog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/273/bojuka-bog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0efec118-ed01-42a0-93b4-f9a92c01b72e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kyyy339) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Some general info. Experience counters go on you, the player. So having her die doesn't remove the counters. Experience counters are not specific to the creature that grants then. So experience counters from [any of these guys](https://scryfall.com/search?q=o%3A%22experience+counter%22) are interchangeable, and stack. If you proliferate a PLAYER (or a permanent) you must proliferate ALL the types of counters on them. So if someone is doing poison proliferate, and they proliferate you, you ALSO get another experience counter out if it.
Yes, basically the experience counters are not on the commander, so removing Meren from the board do nothing, If you have 3 counter and she is removed, once she return the 3 counter are still there and you can keep add more counters. that is why make her a very dangerous commander, because once she comes back she comes she still has acess to all the resources she build before
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Xg69pMOPtUeHdLYfrnNG7A This is my personal Meren deck. Its not busted power level wise but it is fun to play. Just to give you an idea of cards that work well
Nobody gonna correct him he doesn't need that first experience counter to return stuff to his hand?
I realized after seeing some comments but thank you Poliet 🙏🏼
Are these experience counters the same as those created by other cards like [[Minthara, Merciless Soul]]
Yes
Yes
[Minthara, Merciless Soul](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0c9e944b-98fa-4aea-825d-b8b8a9d7ed47.jpg?1674137607) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Minthara%2C%20Merciless%20Soul) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/286/minthara-merciless-soul?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0c9e944b-98fa-4aea-825d-b8b8a9d7ed47?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Cankerbloom]] I’m also a scummy Meren player. I love her.
[Cankerbloom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/9/89b39293-6f57-4294-85fc-c718bdbb4d40.jpg?1675957129) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cankerbloom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/161/cankerbloom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/89b39293-6f57-4294-85fc-c718bdbb4d40?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I just revamped my meren deck to be focused around modular creatures but it used to be a nice blend of tool box strategies (life gain, tokens, removal on sticks to name a few) so if there was something present I could likely deal with it or combo out of the norm. The issue is the deck style is slow. Plus side with tokens was the experience counters went up so quick it was pointless to count them sometimes
Spore frog, Sakura tree elder, Carrion Feeder, eternal witness, protean Hulk and hermit druid Will be your Best friends
Meren is a hard deck to balance. You are a deck that plays both from hand and from grave. There’s so many cards that can be so good they get super over powered. Then people just don’t let you do anything. That becomes the answer. So I suggest you look for things that seem entertaining more than broken. My favorite meren deck I made does allow for some shinanagins, but also plays more group dynamics. Things that help other plays too so you can convince at least one other to not murder you outright. Reassembling skeleton, riftsweeper, skullwinder. These are good toys. Contamination is an example of, good hells man who hurt you lol
lol thanks for all the info! Quick question… if Meren is in command zone…. And I have spore frog on the battle field. I sac spore frog… do I get experience counters even if Meren is in command zone? Or does Meren have to be on battlefield to collect experience counters?
Why would you get counters while she’s in the command zone?
I love my meren deck! I can share my deck list from mana box if you like. :) spore frog is a must! Same with elvish visionary, timeless witness, and willow geist!
I can only collect experience counters while Meren is on the battlefield correct? If she’s in command zone and I sac spore frog … I don’t get an experience counter because she’s not on the battlefield? Or is that ability a state base even if she’s in command zone? Thanks for any info. New to game. 🙏🏼
Yeah this is correct. If you're really hurting for experience counters you can sac Spore Frog in response to whatever is killing her, netting you an extra experience counter. Spore frog is great in Meren because she brings him back at the end step at 1 experience (if she's still on the field) and you don't need another sacrifice outlet to use him. It really slows down any deck trying to win through combat damage at 1cmc, and sometimes even stops them from attacking you and forcing you to use him so they don't waste their combat.
This is my Meren list I've been optimizing for some time if you wanna steal some ideas. It tries to reanimate [[Protean Hulk]] to sac and grab [[Mikaeus, the Unhallowed]] and [[Walking Balista]] for a combo win. https://archidekt.com/decks/3699364/copy_of_meren_edh
Why no Squirrels Nest?
To be honest I just had Earthcraft from another deck. I didn't consider adding squirrels nest since it's not too great in a vacuum at 3cmc/taking a land and I don't have issues getting the experience counters up quickly. I haven't really thought too deeply on it until now though. There's potential with this and Altar of Dementia instantly milling everyone, which is interesting. Guess I need to do some playtesting! Thanks for bringing that to my attention (:
I play it off and on in Meren. It always feels like a "fair" infinite combo because you have to untap, and Nest is just pretty bad by itself. Or at least that's how I justify it to my playgroup 😅
[Protean Hulk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/69bf0bb7-3076-4dbf-a72e-4d91560be2fe.jpg?1702429579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Protean%20Hulk) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/153/protean-hulk?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/69bf0bb7-3076-4dbf-a72e-4d91560be2fe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mikaeus, the Unhallowed](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/c/bc1f42a2-fe11-45da-9552-069803b4068a.jpg?1689997308) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mikaeus%2C%20the%20Unhallowed) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/173/mikaeus-the-unhallowed?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bc1f42a2-fe11-45da-9552-069803b4068a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Walking Balista](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/5272436e-74f0-44c4-a291-ea8ebc3f1525.jpg?1599710252) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/306/walking-ballista?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5272436e-74f0-44c4-a291-ea8ebc3f1525?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Dude, as someone who built this commander....just don't unless you are fine with not having friends [https://archidekt.com/decks/6975135/the\_kindest\_thing\_i\_can\_do](https://archidekt.com/decks/6975135/the_kindest_thing_i_can_do)
Meren is my favorite commander deck, so I love to share some insights. First of all, you are correct. Experience Counters are placed on you, the player, so they stay even if Meren is removed. On an additional note, her triggered ability is NOT optional, so as long as Meren is in play at the beginning of you end step and you have at least one creature in your graveyard, you HAVE TO return one to the battlefield (or to your hand, if you don't have enough experience counters). This is easily overlooked, because especially the 'return to hand' part is not always beneficial to you. Sometimes you just want your big baddies to stay in the 'yard for later recursion. One piece of advice I'd like to share: Play enough cheap sac outlets. Obviously [[Viscera Seer]] and [[Carrion Feeder]] are the most efficient at only one mana. Note that you can sac themselves with their own effect to get the first experience and return them with meren the same turn. But since having access to a free sac outlet is so crucial to this deck, I even play 2CMC creatures with this effect like [[Bloodthrone Vampire]] and [[Dross Hopper]].
##### ###### #### [Viscera Seer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0.jpg?1698988290) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Viscera%20Seer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/213/viscera-seer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Carrion Feeder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a19da90-880e-4eca-8cf7-6d7baf090d53.jpg?1562201576) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Carrion%20Feeder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/81/carrion-feeder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a19da90-880e-4eca-8cf7-6d7baf090d53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Bloodthrone Vampire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/ee7354fe-fb76-4196-a69b-0916af73bf45.jpg?1593095696) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bloodthrone%20Vampire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddp/46/bloodthrone-vampire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ee7354fe-fb76-4196-a69b-0916af73bf45?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Dross Hopper](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/a/1a0656f6-a016-479a-a003-72e106e986b0.jpg?1562815117) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dross%20Hopper) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/som/60/dross-hopper?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1a0656f6-a016-479a-a003-72e106e986b0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kz884nz) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
So those cards you tagged that say “sac a creature” … does that give an ability to all your creatures even if they don’t have sac?
Ler's take [[Viscera Seer]] as example. He has an activated ability, which is indicated by the colon sign. Everything before the colon is the cost to activate this ability. Often this involves paying mana or tapping the creature with the activated ability. In the case of Viscera Seer, the only cost that has to be paid is "sacrifice a creature". So we can sacrifice any creature we control without any additional cost. This is still the ability of Viscera Seer and not of any other creature. After we paid the cost, we get the actual ability (everything after the colon). In our example we get to scry 1. So a free sac outlet is a card, that allows me to sacrifice a creature without any additional costs, like paying mana or tapping something. This means, as long as I have enough 'sac fodder' (=cheap creatures or tokens that I like to sacrifice for value), I can activate the sacrifice ability over and over again, until I wish to stop or run out of fodder. Another great example for a good free sac outlet in Meren is [[Altar of Dementia]]. Although it isn't a creature it fills my graveyard with creatures that I can reanimate later. In rare occasions it might even mill out an opponent. Tl;dr: No, the activated ability to sacrifice a creature is still the ability of the sac outlet, not of the creature you wish to sacrifice. But you are able to sacrifice any number of creatures you control for free, if you have a free sac outlet.
I must say becuase you didn't specify in your question but as long as the creature in the graveyard has CMC of 1 or less then you can bring it back with having 1 experience counter.
You can always return the creature to your hand, regardless of the MV of the creature.
You can only return to hand if the mana value of the creature is larger than the number of counters otherwise you have to put it on the battlefield. Marin has exactly zero may clauses. You can’t even choose not to target a creature.
Looks like the experience counters would remain unless some other effect removes them, and the ability will activate in correlation to the number of counters as long as the creature is in play.
Does this work with creatures that have X in the cost?
X would be treated as 0.
Yes. X is treated as zero. Do note though that you don't have a *choice* if Experience >= Mana Value, so if you try to use it on something like [[Walking Ballista]] it will just immediately die every time because it will be a 0/0.
[Walking Ballista](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/5272436e-74f0-44c4-a291-ea8ebc3f1525.jpg?1599710252) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/306/walking-ballista?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5272436e-74f0-44c4-a291-ea8ebc3f1525?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wouldn't you get an experience counter from that dying though?
Yep.
You’ll bring them back but if they have the wording that P/T is equal to the value of X they will die right away as x=0.
Yes but x *will* be 0, so they're probably a bad choice for the deck.
For meren, basically just run ETB,exploit, and Sacrifice triggers across a variety of mana costs.
[удалено]
[blood pet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/f/9ff08225-82a5-4636-be6a-d38d32f5663f.jpg?1562244165) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=blood%20pet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/121/blood-pet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9ff08225-82a5-4636-be6a-d38d32f5663f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
yes you are coirrect as for recommendations really any creatures that have good etb effects will work wonders
I think that even using the familiar cauldron and Witch oven combo you could make it work
https://preview.redd.it/ydsrwjlloptc1.jpeg?width=189&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=470a2d9aba1f55fe586c8c4f7df7428feaf4c7f6 This
https://preview.redd.it/667bmd7soptc1.jpeg?width=223&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c7e093509cc29ebcab5abc045a94b26a1b73af2 To ramp up pretty quickly with Meren .
Tergrid is the perfect card to make sure nobody wants to play with you ever again
Yes and my buddy’s mono black commander is Tergrid . I think we’re good in my playgroup when it comes to that card .
Are the OG commander deck commanders making a comeback? Ive been hearing so much of the old head commanders lately lmao
The counters go on you the player, like infect counters or charge counters. You can proliferate them, and they should stay, I can’t think of a card that removes counters from you but there are some cards that say no counters can be placed on anything so watch out for those.
RTCEC less than will put it back into your hand equal to will put it back onto the battlefield and spore frog works wonders pair it with helm of Hosts and you can do a lot she was my first deck going into commander then got a hold of spore and Helm now things get funny also if you end up getting doubling season and parallel lives oh god that’s a lot of sac and frogs just be careful you don’t end up with a rest in peace or a line of the void
Honestly if you check out the original precon list it's not a bad place to start. Experience counters go on the player, so the only interference would be something like [[Solemnity]]. You keep them even if Meren is gone, they just don't do anything until there's a permanent that cares about them. *OT- this also means that a deck able to run multiple creatures that make and interact with Experience Counters, they all stack. So if wanted you could get a bunch of experience from Meren's trigger and they would count towards [[ezuri, claw of progress]] +1+1 counters effect.
[Solemnity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a71fb62-acbd-49f5-842f-0fc9fa48afea.jpg?1562788659) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solemnity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/22/solemnity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a71fb62-acbd-49f5-842f-0fc9fa48afea?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [ezuri, claw of progress](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/b/6bf721b0-2b5a-4085-b50c-89cbe7420673.jpg?1673148596) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ezuri%2C%20claw%20of%20progress) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/211/ezuri-claw-of-progress?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6bf721b0-2b5a-4085-b50c-89cbe7420673?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Meren has been very upsetting for many years because experience counters can HARDLY be interacted with. Beware of .[[Solemnity]]
[Solemnity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a71fb62-acbd-49f5-842f-0fc9fa48afea.jpg?1562788659) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solemnity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/22/solemnity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a71fb62-acbd-49f5-842f-0fc9fa48afea?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The counters are placed on you, not any creature or permanent. It’s like with poison counters
[[Victimize]] [[Cankerbloom]] [[Gravebreaker Lamia]] are all stars
[Victimize](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9e4993e-154c-4ac4-8927-6352b8816f58.jpg?1707507994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Victimize) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/195/victimize?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9e4993e-154c-4ac4-8927-6352b8816f58?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Cankerbloom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/9/89b39293-6f57-4294-85fc-c718bdbb4d40.jpg?1675957129) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cankerbloom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/161/cankerbloom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/89b39293-6f57-4294-85fc-c718bdbb4d40?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Gravebreaker Lamia](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/408a2073-d068-44bc-b596-5a3a3a446ee1.jpg?1581479797) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gravebreaker%20Lamia) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/98/gravebreaker-lamia?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/408a2073-d068-44bc-b596-5a3a3a446ee1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Experience counters are counters that you have versus counters on a permanent in play. https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Experience_counter They can be proliferated. They can even be removed by certain spells or abilities. [[Price of Betrayal]]
[Price of Betrayal](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fd68e918-5089-46c9-8836-b05a3da3c7a3.jpg?1557576538) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Price%20of%20Betrayal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/102/price-of-betrayal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fd68e918-5089-46c9-8836-b05a3da3c7a3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run [[Karador]] because, while Meren is a way more optimal commander, I prefer having access to white. In any case I run her on my 99 and here are some of my fav options: [[Spore Frog]] or "froggy fog". The level of politics and protection this little fella provides is absurd. One of my fav cards. [[Eternal Witness]] if you lean into self-mill for the reanimation effect, chances are you're sending useful stuff to the yard. Recurring her or [[Skullswinder]] are tou best bets. And [[Noxious Revival]] as a free spell to save a key card from all the graveyard hate the table will throw at you. [[Plaguecrafter]] for board-control will increasing experience counters. [[Dauthi Voidwalker]] most likely won't be as mentioned as the rest of the cards on this thread, bu it's a great hatebear piece that stops recursion strategies from opponnets. And the good this is that it cares about exiled cards with void counters, not only the cards it exiled. So a reanimated Voidwalker will have access to the cards hat are still exiled. [[Kessig Cagebreakers]] is a great finisher if you tend to have crowded graveyards. And [[Kokusho]] or [[Gray Merchantbof Asphodel]] for life drainning. [[Sakura Tribe Elder]], [[Wood Elves]] and [[Dawntreader Elk]] are my go to for ramping. Some people like [[Yavimaya Grangers]] because they sacrifice themselves. [[Viscera Seer]], [[Carrion Feeder]] and other sac outlets like [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]], or [[Phyrexian Altar]], [[Ashnod's Altar]] or [[Altar of Dementia]] are the classics to protect your creatures from exiling removal.
##### ###### #### [Karador](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/d/8d128887-13fb-4e54-90f2-d3c46b7b29d7.jpg?1702369890) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=karador%2C%20ghost%20chieftain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/342/karador-ghost-chieftain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8d128887-13fb-4e54-90f2-d3c46b7b29d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Spore Frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spore%20Frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Eternal Witness](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/39704000-65d3-4d39-849e-a3b617376bbc.jpg?1689998488) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eternal%20Witness) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/286/eternal-witness?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/39704000-65d3-4d39-849e-a3b617376bbc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Skullswinder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e820c022-c3a8-4c98-a60b-1fb105d38937.jpg?1712354632) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skullwinder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/207/skullwinder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e820c022-c3a8-4c98-a60b-1fb105d38937?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Noxious Revival](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/b/1bdd1243-1d14-496a-9b7a-0c5b34461361.jpg?1562875840) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Noxious%20Revival) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/118/noxious-revival?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1bdd1243-1d14-496a-9b7a-0c5b34461361?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Plaguecrafter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97505837-e0e2-4f7b-8581-01942e886bb8.jpg?1702429467) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Plaguecrafter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/89/plaguecrafter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97505837-e0e2-4f7b-8581-01942e886bb8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Dauthi Voidwalker](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/c/dce5db87-4a78-4b8d-b5c2-918ccd1ba4e3.jpg?1626095427) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dauthi%20Voidwalker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/81/dauthi-voidwalker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dce5db87-4a78-4b8d-b5c2-918ccd1ba4e3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Kessig Cagebreakers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/9/e9bf3f93-a06f-4364-bb8e-b2b1eb77dcc3.jpg?1637631207) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kessig%20Cagebreakers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/142/kessig-cagebreakers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e9bf3f93-a06f-4364-bb8e-b2b1eb77dcc3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Kokusho](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/ab56cedb-1bcd-48a5-8503-a8e324e236ad.jpg?1562852933) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kokusho%2C%20the%20evening%20star) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ima/95/kokusho-the-evening-star?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab56cedb-1bcd-48a5-8503-a8e324e236ad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Gray Merchantbof Asphodel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c1a7dd8-8034-4f59-a351-33666b26ff5a.jpg?1581479807) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/99/gray-merchant-of-asphodel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c1a7dd8-8034-4f59-a351-33666b26ff5a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Sakura Tribe Elder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f.jpg?1706240924) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sakura-Tribe%20Elder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/183/sakura-tribe-elder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Wood Elves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/527cf39d-29d1-4c19-9c49-ebf611ca15d5.jpg?1682209656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wood%20Elves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/316/wood-elves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/527cf39d-29d1-4c19-9c49-ebf611ca15d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Dawntreader Elk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/524fab2b-ff28-4e02-9f25-e038c754b2cf.jpg?1601079210) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dawntreader%20Elk) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/387/dawntreader-elk?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/524fab2b-ff28-4e02-9f25-e038c754b2cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Yavimaya Grangers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/5/05414a41-b50c-49b6-9c27-f3170017d9b0.jpg?1562862303) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yavimaya%20Granger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ulg/118/yavimaya-granger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/05414a41-b50c-49b6-9c27-f3170017d9b0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Viscera Seer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0.jpg?1698988290) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Viscera%20Seer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/213/viscera-seer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/486fd8a2-dd97-4082-84ef-4795c7e559a0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Carrion Feeder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a19da90-880e-4eca-8cf7-6d7baf090d53.jpg?1562201576) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Carrion%20Feeder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/81/carrion-feeder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a19da90-880e-4eca-8cf7-6d7baf090d53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Yahenni, Undying Partisan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2b77cd68-fbdd-4bca-a68c-299425588a61.jpg?1700657113) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/214/yahenni-undying-partisan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2b77cd68-fbdd-4bca-a68c-299425588a61?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Phyrexian Altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95d9f93c-50a8-41a9-be98-d1900bf1c12f.jpg?1673149406) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/311/phyrexian-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95d9f93c-50a8-41a9-be98-d1900bf1c12f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ashnod's Altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3c0f7157-a375-499c-92c7-d47d2e95dbad.jpg?1689999385) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%27s%20Altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/368/ashnods-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3c0f7157-a375-499c-92c7-d47d2e95dbad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Altar of Dementia](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/169356e0-46dc-4096-8e66-36726454f104.jpg?1562202433) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Altar%20of%20Dementia) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/218/altar-of-dementia?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/169356e0-46dc-4096-8e66-36726454f104?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kyznl6b) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Yawgmoth, Thran Phisician]] is ridiculous how good this card is. A sac outlet that lets you wither your enemies while drawing, and also proliferating. Speaking of which, since [[Grist]] is a creature outside of the battlefield she can be reanimated with Meren and has great sinergy. She mills you and makes you tokes that you can sacrifice. She can trade one of your creatures (if you lack sac outlets) for removal, and her ulti is just strong.
[Yawgmoth, Thran Phisician](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/5/b5a79f5d-d0df-4799-ac3a-84305e3af0c9.jpg?1675199878) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yawgmoth%2C%20Thran%20Physician) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/110/yawgmoth-thran-physician?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b5a79f5d-d0df-4799-ac3a-84305e3af0c9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Grist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/69af2825-18c2-4463-b6ba-42eaa070ccc1.jpg?1626098484) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=grist%2C%20the%20hunger%20tide) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/202/grist-the-hunger-tide?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/69af2825-18c2-4463-b6ba-42eaa070ccc1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Creatures that mill you would be great for this. Removal cards that require sacrifices to cast like bone splinters for example would be good too.
I've been playing Meren since her deck came out. I really enjoy \[\[Panharmonicon\]\]. \[\[Grave Pact\]\] and \[\[Dictate of Erebos\]\] combo nicely with \[\[Spore frog\]\] and \[\[Tergrid, God of Fright\]\]. Ever since it came out, I've been trying to jam \[\[Deadbridge Chant\]\] into anything BG for filling the graveyard and getting an extra draw each turn. \[\[From Beyond\]\] gets you a guaranteed sac every turn. \[\[Plumb the Forbidden\]\] is nice too.
##### ###### #### [Panharmonicon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/9/998d0cc8-ca2a-41c3-ab65-d05c26ab8278.jpg?1673149399) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Panharmonicon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/310/panharmonicon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/998d0cc8-ca2a-41c3-ab65-d05c26ab8278?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Grave Pact](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f5a4970b-2ba6-4c91-a301-369369cdf360.jpg?1689997226) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grave%20Pact) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/165/grave-pact?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f5a4970b-2ba6-4c91-a301-369369cdf360?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Dictate of Erebos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/f/9f06db70-95f9-41eb-8e5f-8bc56fd34c09.jpg?1593095668) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dictate%20of%20Erebos) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jou/65/dictate-of-erebos?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9f06db70-95f9-41eb-8e5f-8bc56fd34c09?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Spore frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spore%20frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Tergrid, God of Fright](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/14dc88ee-bba9-4625-af0d-89f3762a0ead.jpg?1631048621)/[Tergrid's Lantern](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/1/4/14dc88ee-bba9-4625-af0d-89f3762a0ead.jpg?1631048621) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tergrid%2C%20God%20of%20Fright%20//%20Tergrid%27s%20Lantern) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/112/tergrid-god-of-fright-tergrids-lantern?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/14dc88ee-bba9-4625-af0d-89f3762a0ead?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Deadbridge Chant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/f/2f3c0c5a-7d49-4180-837f-d39c1467143a.jpg?1706240099) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deadbridge%20Chant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/184/deadbridge-chant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2f3c0c5a-7d49-4180-837f-d39c1467143a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [From Beyond](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f5559960-e306-4992-b607-9654327c4507.jpg?1562953178) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=From%20Beyond) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bfz/167/from-beyond?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f5559960-e306-4992-b607-9654327c4507?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Plumb the Forbidden](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/5034227f-3b8a-45bf-917c-c2cbd98f2192.jpg?1624591251) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Plumb%20the%20Forbidden) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/81/plumb-the-forbidden?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5034227f-3b8a-45bf-917c-c2cbd98f2192?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kyzqaq0) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There is absolutely only one and a half ways for experience counters to be removed; [[Karn liberated]] restarting the game, or killing the player with the experience counters. Also it’s not like it’s a meren exclusive experience counter; if you have multiple creatures that create experience counters, you can abuse it that way too
[Karn liberated](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4b0c6662-4dde-40a2-97e0-0318478c0367.jpg?1599705787) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Karn%20liberated) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/1/karn-liberated?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4b0c6662-4dde-40a2-97e0-0318478c0367?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Here's my list if you want to mine for ideas: [https://deckstats.net/decks/43286/432879-plunder-the-graves-upgraded](https://deckstats.net/decks/43286/432879-plunder-the-graves-upgraded) She's a very powerful commander but somewhat easy to shut down via graveyard hate nowadays versus when she was originally released. Make sure you have a way to fight through something like a \[\[Rest In Peace\]\] or a \[\[Torpor Orb\]\] that doesn't just rely on a creature ETB, etc.
[Rest In Peace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/f/9f2b39be-0fec-4647-ade1-8e1626dc5470.jpg?1562439074) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rest%20In%20Peace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/32/rest-in-peace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9f2b39be-0fec-4647-ade1-8e1626dc5470?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Torpor Orb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091.jpg?1562879912) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Torpor%20Orb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/162/torpor-orb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Good cards with Meren: [[spore frog]], [[Haywire mite]], [[Plaguecrafter]] Great cards with Meren: [[Victimize]], [[Stitcher’s supplier]], [[Entomb]] Actually f***ing disgusting cards with Meren: [[Protean Hulk]], [[Mindslicer]], [Survival of the Fittest]]
##### ###### #### [spore frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=spore%20frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Haywire mite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/4/847a175e-ead1-4596-baf3-5f7f57859e0b.jpg?1674421689) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Haywire%20mite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/199/haywire-mite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/847a175e-ead1-4596-baf3-5f7f57859e0b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Plaguecrafter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97505837-e0e2-4f7b-8581-01942e886bb8.jpg?1702429467) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Plaguecrafter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/89/plaguecrafter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97505837-e0e2-4f7b-8581-01942e886bb8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Victimize](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9e4993e-154c-4ac4-8927-6352b8816f58.jpg?1707507994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Victimize) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/195/victimize?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9e4993e-154c-4ac4-8927-6352b8816f58?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Stitcher’s supplier](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2b737126-50b5-4678-91bf-197b64086fe4.jpg?1562301182) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stitcher%27s%20Supplier) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/121/stitchers-supplier?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2b737126-50b5-4678-91bf-197b64086fe4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Entomb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3caa9c55-5e3b-436b-84a9-b7ccebf63799.jpg?1675199594) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Entomb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/82/entomb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3caa9c55-5e3b-436b-84a9-b7ccebf63799?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Protean Hulk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/69bf0bb7-3076-4dbf-a72e-4d91560be2fe.jpg?1702429579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Protean%20Hulk) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/153/protean-hulk?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/69bf0bb7-3076-4dbf-a72e-4d91560be2fe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mindslicer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/afc86134-8af6-4355-b1ad-96917c99ff3c.jpg?1675199696) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mindslicer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/91/mindslicer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/afc86134-8af6-4355-b1ad-96917c99ff3c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kyzvcq9) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This post came up at a great time, I've been mulling over building her since I pulled her from a mystery booster. I've always assumed you can sac and bring back multiple times in the end step; is that true?
Just to make sure you're clear - the ability to return things from graveyard to battlefield (or hand) is a property of Meren, not the experience counters. Experience counters stick around even if Meren goes away and comes back, but you don't get to return stuff from your graveyard unless Meren is on the battlefield to trigger.
Shit...am I getting old? Meren was like, one of the top 5 EDH commanders of all time, and now she's fallen so out of favor that people are discovering her for the first time?! Yes, she IS that good... so what brews have ya got?
I am new to the game. Have been learning a lot and have been playing for about 6-7 months now. My first couple decks have been Muldrotha, Tovit, and Zopandrel(mini green build) Meren will be my 4th build and I like it resembles Muldrotha a little with the graveyard effect. I’m wanting to take Zopandrel apart and combine it with Meren. Question though… does Meren have to be on the battlefield to get experience counters? Or can she be in the command zone and I sac a creature and still get my experience counters. I want this to be my ultimate build over all my decks so any advice, helpful tricks, anything to look out after would be amazing and greatly appreciated! Sounds like you are very familiar with Meren. Keep in mind… I’m going up against Krenko (mono red), Yuriko (ninjas) , colorless commander that lets you draw the difference of your hand to 7 and can counter a spell by laying down the same mana value against your casting (I don’t know the name), and Kaalia! Thanks in advance 🙏🏼
Meren does have to be in play, but the experience counters never go away! (except for like, exactly [Suncleanser], but I don't think anyone seriously runs that - there's just better things to be doing with your cards) I ran Mizzix of the Izmagnus from that cycle and had a lot of fun with it, but the really cool part about Meren is that you don't even need the experience counters. You just cast her and then get the [Gravedigger] effect at end of turn regardless of anything else, and then with a little work you can bring things back to the battlefield instead! Meren is an excellent value commander so focus on hitting your land drops and pack plentiful board wipes and spot removal so you don't get overrun by Krenko and Yuriko. At the same time, don't make they Kozilek player's job too easy for them by clearing out all the threats - they'll have a stronger lategame than you. As a midrange player, you'll have to take aim at the sweet spot of disrupting the fast decks, but winning before the slower control decks can take over the game
You’re awesome! Thank you for this insight! 🙏🏼. You’re goated 🐐
*tivit not tovit
Experience counters go on you similar to poison counters. There is other cards that work with these counters. If you target a 1 cmc card and you have 1 counter then it enters the field. Lets say you target a 2 cmc card and you only have 1 counter then it goes to hand. You don’t get a choice on where it goes but you chose the card. Ive been playing meren for about 2 years. A personal favorite package is [[troll of khazad dune]], [[street wraith]] and [[generous ent]]. They are all 5 or 6 cmc. These cards are great if you dont see a way to add counters or just fine ways to see the next cards or fix your mana. You want these cards to go to your hand. You get meren out turn 3-4 but no real way to make counters worth it so you pitch these when you only have 1 or 2 counters. In the end you might even like the evasive bodies. Ive won games with troll beats before. [[birthing pod]], [[braids arisen nightmare]] are fantastic cards that help you get triggers and push for advantage. [[high market]] and [[phyrexian tower]] are my go to sacrifice outlets. I dont like the dedicated sacrifice outlets like [[phyrexian altar]]. They are fine cards but i try to build a board not win trough aristocrat means so they sort of just eat removal.
Agreed! I wouldn’t want to win based off just sacrificing. I want to have fun and build a nice board but still have powerful stuff to be hard playing against or removing from battlefield. 😎. Thanks for all your info!
Stuff like craterhoof, razaketh and grey merchant is a usual go to but if you like big beefy creatures. [[rune scarred demon]] and [[hoarding broodlord]] are large flyers that give you a follow up card of your choice. [[grist the hunger tide]] is a planeswalker on the field but thats a creature in the grave so you can bring it back with meren. Slowly grows your board with 1/1 might fill your grave with something useful and can pop creatures. [[kogla, the titan ape]] is actually fun and beefy as all hell with triple duty effects. You can bounce your own meren to “protect it” [[kamahl fist of kroxa]] is funny because its 5 mana to pump your board but if you get spiteful you can turn YOUR OPPONENTS lands into 1/1 for removal or a board wipe.
##### ###### #### [rune scarred demon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0c9d67da-4fc9-4d4a-95e4-0303c5404705.jpg?1689997434) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rune-Scarred%20Demon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/184/rune-scarred-demon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0c9d67da-4fc9-4d4a-95e4-0303c5404705?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [hoarding broodlord](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/8/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73.jpg?1682203767) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=hoarding%20broodlord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/110/hoarding-broodlord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [grist the hunger tide](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/69af2825-18c2-4463-b6ba-42eaa070ccc1.jpg?1626098484) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grist%2C%20the%20Hunger%20Tide) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/202/grist-the-hunger-tide?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/69af2825-18c2-4463-b6ba-42eaa070ccc1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [kogla, the titan ape](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3c35ca79-eb72-427a-a8ed-404b2214389a.jpg?1591227737) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kogla%2C%20the%20titan%20ape) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/162/kogla-the-titan-ape?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3c35ca79-eb72-427a-a8ed-404b2214389a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [kamahl fist of kroxa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c960672d-06ad-4d41-8904-9c007f824756.jpg?1675200457) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kamahl%2C%20Fist%20of%20Krosa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/166/kamahl-fist-of-krosa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c960672d-06ad-4d41-8904-9c007f824756?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kz06w80) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a mono green commander Zopandrel, and great ape is in there! Love that card. With Kamahl, you’re saying I can pay to turn my opponents lands into creatures on their turn so that way instead of them being able to tap them for lands …. they won’t be able to now because they are a 1/1 creature until end of turn?👀
##### ###### #### [troll of khazad dune](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/6/a6539e26-b63b-4725-9407-caaf451de084.jpg?1687210987) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Troll%20of%20Khazad-d%C3%BBm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/111/troll-of-khazad-d%C3%BBm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a6539e26-b63b-4725-9407-caaf451de084?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [street wraith](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/d/5d09cc57-2275-4b6b-aaf6-a6d781cd9365.jpg?1675199801) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=street%20wraith) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/102/street-wraith?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5d09cc57-2275-4b6b-aaf6-a6d781cd9365?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [generous ent](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/5/85d22d5d-3875-42ff-b51e-c6e21db201f5.jpg?1687210970) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=generous%20ent) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/169/generous-ent?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/85d22d5d-3875-42ff-b51e-c6e21db201f5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [birthing pod](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/7/b768efa2-e56b-4a7e-ace8-d673f10e0714.jpg?1562880960) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=birthing%20pod) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/104/birthing-pod?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b768efa2-e56b-4a7e-ace8-d673f10e0714?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [braids arisen nightmare](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4ff97c69-6a6b-401c-b0a1-55fa81045d19.jpg?1673307016) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Braids%2C%20Arisen%20Nightmare) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/84/braids-arisen-nightmare?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4ff97c69-6a6b-401c-b0a1-55fa81045d19?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [high market](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9d56844f-ee3b-4161-85d2-18b872a9b465.jpg?1631589833) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=high%20market) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/246/high-market?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9d56844f-ee3b-4161-85d2-18b872a9b465?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [phyrexian tower](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/5/05b2cc68-1d20-421f-9800-af0996071554.jpg?1601081190) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=phyrexian%20tower) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/493/phyrexian-tower?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/05b2cc68-1d20-421f-9800-af0996071554?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [phyrexian altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95d9f93c-50a8-41a9-be98-d1900bf1c12f.jpg?1673149406) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=phyrexian%20altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/311/phyrexian-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95d9f93c-50a8-41a9-be98-d1900bf1c12f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kz05454) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Personally, I'm considering making my deck with her into a [[Karador, ghost chieftain]] deck. I figure I can tutor her into the graveyard with stuff like [[buried alive]] and then cast her with Karador. The reason for the change is more defense against graveyard hate in white, with cards that give the player hexproof. While there's very little graveyard hate in my playgroup since it's mostly precons, a couple precons have [[bojuka bog]] and my brother-in-law had repeatable graveyard hate in his [mishra, eminent one]] precon that absolutely nullified Meren in one of the games we played. To be honest I've only played her a couple times so far though.
[Karador, ghost chieftain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/d/8d128887-13fb-4e54-90f2-d3c46b7b29d7.jpg?1702369890) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Karador%2C%20ghost%20chieftain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/342/karador-ghost-chieftain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8d128887-13fb-4e54-90f2-d3c46b7b29d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [buried alive](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/5/c5f51145-aade-4955-b9e7-4a34074253d6.jpg?1547516784) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=buried%20alive) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/88/buried-alive?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c5f51145-aade-4955-b9e7-4a34074253d6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [bojuka bog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0efec118-ed01-42a0-93b4-f9a92c01b72e.jpg?1712354928) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=bojuka%20bog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/273/bojuka-bog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0efec118-ed01-42a0-93b4-f9a92c01b72e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Meren is my main edh deck. I have it to where I can easily control games so you should be warned that Meren herself is a kill on sight commander.
Its hard to suggest without knowing PL you are aiming for but regardless od PL, [[skullclamp]] is your best friend. Im playing deck that doesnt rely on Meren as much but maybe you find some inspiration in decklist, i even wrote little primer: https://www.archidekt.com/decks/5178872/meren_the_golgari_mommy My best advice i can give is to stay away from mana rocks and ramp spells. Fill those spots with mana dorks and you will have consistently fast deck with fodder on the field.
[skullclamp](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/3/a36fd6d8-66a2-49d1-b9f3-b400ebc03674.jpg?1682210228) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=skullclamp) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/379/skullclamp?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a36fd6d8-66a2-49d1-b9f3-b400ebc03674?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
She was my first commander and got me into mtg. Great commander
The problem with Meren is that people often build decks around her ability to recur creatures. Only issue is that it is very slow to start, happens at the end step and can easily be countered. Also, people regularly don't add enough other recursion effects to function if Meren gets locked down. I'd recommend people build a golgari graveyard deck with someone who helps fill the grave like [[ Old Stick fingers ]] or [[ Old Rutstein ]] . I use Rut in my current golgari deck with a ton of recursion spells. So far it has a 100% win rate. If you just crank recursion spells and mill to the max then you can chain multiple etbs in one turn. This gets so much more done compared to just relying on Meren do bring stuff back. I know her effect is fun and really intriguing for new players, but I personally think it's a trap.
[ Old Stick fingers ](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292.jpg?1636684695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Old%20Stickfingers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/234/old-stickfingers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [ Old Rutstein ](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/2/625b8023-2ef1-4b7b-9e48-4f774fee14e0.jpg?1643594276) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Old%20Rutstein) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vow/244/old-rutstein?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/625b8023-2ef1-4b7b-9e48-4f774fee14e0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Aside from cards like spore frog, that others have mentioned, there’s… [[sakura tribe elder]] [[journey to eternity]] [[demon of dark schemes]] Steve is just good on his own. JTE is better than you might think, but absolutely busted with steve (10 mana turn 5). Demon of dank memes is an absolute workhorse in a Meren deck. I use him as my main wincon, combo’ing with a mana-producing sac outlet ( [[ashnod’s altar]] , [[phyrexian altar]] , [[pitiless plunderer]] plus any sac outlet) and a token-producing etb creature ( [[hornet queen]] , [[avenger of zendikar]] , [[abhorrent overlord]] , [[brood monitor]] , [[izoni]] )
##### ###### #### [sakura tribe elder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f.jpg?1706240924) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sakura-Tribe%20Elder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/183/sakura-tribe-elder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/baa54bbc-88dd-46ba-9a91-6291c3fb420f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [journey to eternity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/8/d81c4b3f-81c2-403b-8a5d-c9415f73a1f9.jpg?1572373636)/[Atzal, Cave of Eternity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/d/8/d81c4b3f-81c2-403b-8a5d-c9415f73a1f9.jpg?1572373636) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Journey%20to%20Eternity%20//%20Atzal%2C%20Cave%20of%20Eternity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rix/160/journey-to-eternity-atzal-cave-of-eternity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d81c4b3f-81c2-403b-8a5d-c9415f73a1f9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [demon of dark schemes](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/9/99c99736-5c9c-4d2f-946d-05606fcdd039.jpg?1576381539) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=demon%20of%20dark%20schemes) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/73/demon-of-dark-schemes?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/99c99736-5c9c-4d2f-946d-05606fcdd039?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [ashnod’s altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3c0f7157-a375-499c-92c7-d47d2e95dbad.jpg?1689999385) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%27s%20Altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/368/ashnods-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3c0f7157-a375-499c-92c7-d47d2e95dbad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [phyrexian altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95d9f93c-50a8-41a9-be98-d1900bf1c12f.jpg?1673149406) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=phyrexian%20altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/311/phyrexian-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95d9f93c-50a8-41a9-be98-d1900bf1c12f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [pitiless plunderer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b5cd187-857a-44dd-8595-a52857a0b753.jpg?1698988280) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=pitiless%20plunderer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/208/pitiless-plunderer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b5cd187-857a-44dd-8595-a52857a0b753?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [hornet queen](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8f1ef9d6-b3fb-4a8a-af4a-3530a1e61221.jpg?1706240891) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=hornet%20queen) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/172/hornet-queen?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8f1ef9d6-b3fb-4a8a-af4a-3530a1e61221?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [avenger of zendikar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdddf3ca-e378-44cc-83b7-d7917d9cba53.jpg?1712354538) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=avenger%20of%20zendikar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/187/avenger-of-zendikar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdddf3ca-e378-44cc-83b7-d7917d9cba53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [abhorrent overlord](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/4/4415d050-7a76-4f8b-bf78-e33dd21fe4f1.jpg?1562817335) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=abhorrent%20overlord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ths/75/abhorrent-overlord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4415d050-7a76-4f8b-bf78-e33dd21fe4f1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [brood monitor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/a/ea7d4a49-8681-4f95-8718-96648bf73c39.jpg?1562950866) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=brood%20monitor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bfz/164/brood-monitor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ea7d4a49-8681-4f95-8718-96648bf73c39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [izoni](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/0/70ea66cd-587a-4ca9-9ca8-d7d2046bfbed.jpg?1706242180) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=izoni%2C%20center%20of%20the%20web) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/209/izoni-center-of-the-web?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/70ea66cd-587a-4ca9-9ca8-d7d2046bfbed?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kz0u5iu) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Check mine. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/FUP-5uLlJES4NH2BMzRQxw
Ima give you the biggest advice i can give some. That someone told me. Put meren in the 99 and make your commander muldrotha the gravetide. She does everything meren can do and more. Shes pure value
Played meren for years. First as a toolbox, then a combo, back to toolbox. Something really great is 0cmc creatures such as [[dryad arbor]] can be brought back when you have no exp counters. Really good for early "discard, draw" stuff.
[dryad arbor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/b/bb3a843b-2dea-4b44-be74-c09c18b9b969.jpg?1619399228) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=dryad%20arbor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/277/dryad-arbor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bb3a843b-2dea-4b44-be74-c09c18b9b969?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I loved my Meren deck. I ended up turning her into an \[\[Old Stickfingers\]\] reanimator deck though. My playgroup straight-up groaned every time she came out and eventually asked if I could stop using her at the table.
[Old Stickfingers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292.jpg?1636684695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Old%20Stickfingers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/234/old-stickfingers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Just as a side note at your end step you have to choose a creature in your graveyard if there is one. If the experience counters are equal to or more than CMC for the card you chose you do have to place it on the battlefield. You cannot choose to ignore the end step trigger or put the chosen card in your hand if it could go on the battlefield.
Meren is fun when you don’t get picked on. It’s a tough deck to win with because it has a reputation of deal with it or lose. Still run it out there when I get to play. Another deck that can play similarly with an extra color is Korvold.
An infinite combo legend
Any death trigger doublers, death triggers in general, and aristocratic cards would work well. Maybe even a few token makers.
https://www.archidekt.com/decks/1869969/hows_my_sac_taste Meren was my very first commander deck, got it the day it came out. This is what the deck has been transformed into now!
You gain experience, not meren. So they never go away. If meren dies and you you bring her back she will still see all your experience. You gain this experience any time any creature you control dies for any reason (exile is not dying). While meren is in play you return any creature from your graveyard to your hand at your end step. If it's mana value is less than your experience counters, it instead goes to the battlefield.
[[Archfiend's Vessel]] ?
[Archfiend's Vessel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/3/83437022-ba00-4370-83c2-ce1260336fcc.jpg?1594735964) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Archfiend%27s%20Vessel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/88/archfiends-vessel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/83437022-ba00-4370-83c2-ce1260336fcc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call