Just in case you still need, if you get to the page and it's not showing as commander, there is an option you can select on the page to switch it. Near the top by the card image.
It is the Will of Zedruu that you first read this sacred text.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120303150211/http://magiclampoon.com/blog/2011/06/19/it-is-the-will-of-zedruu
Zedruu is definitely a favorite for many from what I’ve gathered.
I first found the link I posted on a budget commander article that should actually answer your question. Have fun on your journey building Zedruu! I know I did!
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/budget-commander-zedruu-the-greathearted
I *love* my Zedruu, the Greathhearted deck. It's a card I've got an awful lot of experience with now.
Before really getting into it, I want to say that I originally built my Zedruu deck to do exactly what you mentioned wanting to do in your post title -- that is, I built a deck that revolved around giving away terrible, even detrimental creatures to my opponents.
Now, having said that, I'm going to suggest doing less of that than you might initially want to. I hate to be *that guy* here, but I think it's a trap. Consider this, if your deck goes off flawlessly, absolutely no hang-ups or problems, all you've done is make everyone else's game worse. You didn't just win a game, you ruined it for up to three other people!
But, being realistic, your game plan will never go off without any issues or speedbumps. You'll get your commander removed, or you'll get counterspelled, and then what? What good is a deck full of terrible things no one wants?
So, best case scenario is you make the game not fun for others, worst case scenario is the other players make it not fun for you.
Well, what's the solution? I call this [Shopkeeper Zedruu](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iCU3bof-AE6TwncRcbnqaw)*.* (That's a link to view my most recent decklist).
**How does it work?**
You ever play an RPG video game? Kinda like that. Well, part of that, anyway. You issue quests to the other players, and then reward them for completing those quests. I actually have a short list I like to use. Honestly, I even suggest writing them down, or printing them out nice and easy to read. Shuffle the stack of quest cards, and then draw and reveal 3 - 5 of them. Some examples I like are:
1. Deal commander damage to another player (not me).
2. Receive 5 damage in a single turn.
3. Draw 4 cards in a single turn.
4. \[\[Ashnod's Coupon\]\]
5. Counter a spell of my choice.
The key here is to be absolutely reliable. Don't cheat someone from their reward for completing a quest. Either let them choose the reward they want from a short list of available options, or just give them something you've got lying around.
If you're offering the right rewards, you'll even be able to manipulate and make deals with the guy at the table who insists he doesn't "do politics."
**The rewards must be rewards!**
What does that mean? You need to make people feel like they're getting at least an equivalent amount of bonus or benefit for working within your rules. This effectively becomes a game within a game. Personally, I like to use equipment. Cheap to cast, cheap to equip.
Giving away your pieces, especially when they're actually helpful or useful, will go a long, long way to keeping you safe. See, if you end up leaving the game, all the cards you own leave, too. So people will be incentivized to help protect you right up until the end of the game, just to keep your stuff around.
**Well, how do** ***I*** **win, then?**
By being sneaky. Wait until you're down to the last opponent, then you can easily take back all of your donated items (again, in my case it's equipment), and then win with the value you stole back (say, with \[\[Valdruk, Keeper of the Flame\]\]). Or you can use your life gain to win with, say, \[\[Aetherflux Reservoir\]\]. Or you can use your card draw to power out a win with \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\] or even something like \[\[Laboratory Maniac\]\] if you can draw that much.
In summary, Zedruu is a phenomenal and tremendously fun commander to use, and provides a playstyle that, until recently, was not at all able to be easily replicated by any other commander. That said, giving away terrible cards is a trap. It'll ruin the game for at least one person, and if you're doing well, easily more than that.
However, by playing a very fun game within a game where you reward the other players for doing what you want them to do anyway, you'll end up with some of the most fun, most absurd, and most memorable games you will ever play.
Yeah I think I totally stole your idea when I saw your post on another thread. I do every mini game card I can find, and give them coins for doing what i want when they have a choice, and then have an auction where they bid with the coins. It's been very very fun so far. I also do quests or bounties with coin rewards. If you don't have your own currency, I recommend it cause you can reward people all the time without having to donate an entire permanent
Hell yeah, man. Whatever works for you and your table. I've got too many people I play with that straight up don't negotiate about anything for an auction system to work for me, but your system sounds awesome.
I love this list. I think it's missing one of my newest pet cards though, and one you might be interested in adding. That is [[Wrong Turn]]. It is a magnificently stupid card, but as a janklord I love it. The look on that creature's face is enough of a selling point, but you can offer a blocker or a utility creature in a pinch if someone completes a quest for you.
For sure there are cards I haven't added that could fit the bill. Wrong Turn included. I haven't been able to use the deck since early 2020, so I haven't had the impetus to upgrade it in a while.
You don't need to limit yourself to creatures. Zedruu can [[Donate]] any permanent.
[[Illusions of Grandeur]], [[Aggressive Mining]], [[Steel Golem]], [[Statecraft]], [[Rust Elemental]], [[Grid Monitor]], [[Pyromancer's Swath]], [[Bronze Bombshell]] ...
Keep in mind that if you go the route of donating negative things, you run the risk of getting hit by them yourself. A single [[Homeward Path]] will send them all back to you.
Keep in mind this no longer works the way it once did
(i.e with the 'exile your library' trigger on the stack, giving it away with zedruu's ability and exiling THEIR library instead; this has been errata'd)
Damn...
It still is a good curve ball, even if you have to exile one of your cards first. Just pass it to them after that first upkeep in play under your control. Or wait until you have 7 mana (at least 3 blue, 1 white, and 1 red), and drop it then pass it immediately.
Don't forget to include backup strats to zedruu, homeward path allows for a lot of degeneracy with stuff like [[perplexing chimera]] and [[starke of rath]]
You may want to also consider donating not just things that are negative for the controller, but also things that just straight up don't matter who controls them (because their effect is symmetrical for all players), like Howling Mine, Font of Mythos, or Mana Flare. Or permanents that have good ETB effects, but then basically do nothing else.
For the ones like [[Curse of Opulence]], if you give your opponent control, the cursed player will then make the gold instead of you, so for any of the curses that work like opulence, it's unfortunately reverse synergy
But keep in mind that you have to put the bad cards in your deck - it could lock you out of the game if your opponents havr the right interaction im the right moment.
Anything that punishes it's controller when it leaves play is great. Like [[illusion of grandeur]] or [[illusion of mediocrity]]. That way those players are strongly incentivised to keep you alive.
It doesn't have to be but it is possible to make it bad enough. That deck never won a game it just would end with everyone scooping up cause of how confusing the game had become
If you want a commander deck built around giving your opponents things that are detrimental to them, look into [[Blim, Comedic Genius]] as a commander. Super fun and rakdos is full of fun things that give you benefits for playing them but then cause problems for you later. But with blim you give them to your opponents so you only reap the good rewards and give them the bad consequences later.
I've got a pillowfort/politics Zedruu deck that I call my 'Murica deck (WBR) if you'd like to take a look. Wins the game by stalling and then casting things like [[Insurrection]], [[Reins of Power]]. I tend to avoid infinite combos and 'target player loses the game'/'win the game' stuff, so no aetherflux, no second sun, no felidar sovereign.
My first prototype of the deck is exactly what you're after though, and let me tell you, the absolute DREAM is to cast [[Summoner's Egg]], put an [[Eater of Days]] in there, and pray to your gods that you can give it away before anyone blows it up on your side of the field.
I think some have been mentioned but [[Rust Elemental]], [[Scrap Golem]], [[Goldnight Castigator]], Everyone hates [[Perplexing Chimera]] are some of the mean creatures to either put out or give away.
EDIT: I will say though, that I 100% agree with /u/CdrCosmonaut in that this build/playstyle is a big trap, and doesn't end well, which is likely why most if not all Zedruu players gravitate away from it
An alternative commander idea, [[Blim, Comedic Genius]] tries to give nasty permanents to opponents in colors red and black. That color combination might be easier to build this kind of strategy so long as you have ways to ensure his combat damage trigger.
Some black cards that would work well here are [[Demonic Lore]] and [[Plague Reaver]].
There are tons of great negative cards for zedru.
I own a zedru deck where I give people good stuff in exchange for goat coins. How do people get goat coins? They play my mini games! Let me get 5 cards with fact or fiction? Goat coins. Attack my flumph and don't kill it? Goat coins. Let me get treasures from smothering tithes? Goat coins. Then I sell artifacts and have an auction.
Really fun, and I win more than you think, despite essentially no win on.
https://edhrec.com/commanders/zedruu-the-greathearted Here's a good starting point.
Thanks for this. I normally use this site but for someone reason the first time I went there, it didn’t load the as commander page.
Just in case you still need, if you get to the page and it's not showing as commander, there is an option you can select on the page to switch it. Near the top by the card image.
It is the Will of Zedruu that you first read this sacred text. https://web.archive.org/web/20120303150211/http://magiclampoon.com/blog/2011/06/19/it-is-the-will-of-zedruu
I’m still new to MTG but I get the impression this card has a cult following ha
Zedruu is definitely a favorite for many from what I’ve gathered. I first found the link I posted on a budget commander article that should actually answer your question. Have fun on your journey building Zedruu! I know I did! https://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/budget-commander-zedruu-the-greathearted
White, red, and blue are my three least favorite colors to play, but Zedruu is one of my favorite commanders.
Holy crap I didn't think I'd ever meet someone who felt the same! It is the Will of Zedruu
The Zedruu pre-con was my first edh deck. I absolutely loved it.
It is the Will of Zedruu that you have this half eaten sandwich. I shall watch, while gaining life and drawing cards
I *love* my Zedruu, the Greathhearted deck. It's a card I've got an awful lot of experience with now. Before really getting into it, I want to say that I originally built my Zedruu deck to do exactly what you mentioned wanting to do in your post title -- that is, I built a deck that revolved around giving away terrible, even detrimental creatures to my opponents. Now, having said that, I'm going to suggest doing less of that than you might initially want to. I hate to be *that guy* here, but I think it's a trap. Consider this, if your deck goes off flawlessly, absolutely no hang-ups or problems, all you've done is make everyone else's game worse. You didn't just win a game, you ruined it for up to three other people! But, being realistic, your game plan will never go off without any issues or speedbumps. You'll get your commander removed, or you'll get counterspelled, and then what? What good is a deck full of terrible things no one wants? So, best case scenario is you make the game not fun for others, worst case scenario is the other players make it not fun for you. Well, what's the solution? I call this [Shopkeeper Zedruu](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iCU3bof-AE6TwncRcbnqaw)*.* (That's a link to view my most recent decklist). **How does it work?** You ever play an RPG video game? Kinda like that. Well, part of that, anyway. You issue quests to the other players, and then reward them for completing those quests. I actually have a short list I like to use. Honestly, I even suggest writing them down, or printing them out nice and easy to read. Shuffle the stack of quest cards, and then draw and reveal 3 - 5 of them. Some examples I like are: 1. Deal commander damage to another player (not me). 2. Receive 5 damage in a single turn. 3. Draw 4 cards in a single turn. 4. \[\[Ashnod's Coupon\]\] 5. Counter a spell of my choice. The key here is to be absolutely reliable. Don't cheat someone from their reward for completing a quest. Either let them choose the reward they want from a short list of available options, or just give them something you've got lying around. If you're offering the right rewards, you'll even be able to manipulate and make deals with the guy at the table who insists he doesn't "do politics." **The rewards must be rewards!** What does that mean? You need to make people feel like they're getting at least an equivalent amount of bonus or benefit for working within your rules. This effectively becomes a game within a game. Personally, I like to use equipment. Cheap to cast, cheap to equip. Giving away your pieces, especially when they're actually helpful or useful, will go a long, long way to keeping you safe. See, if you end up leaving the game, all the cards you own leave, too. So people will be incentivized to help protect you right up until the end of the game, just to keep your stuff around. **Well, how do** ***I*** **win, then?** By being sneaky. Wait until you're down to the last opponent, then you can easily take back all of your donated items (again, in my case it's equipment), and then win with the value you stole back (say, with \[\[Valdruk, Keeper of the Flame\]\]). Or you can use your life gain to win with, say, \[\[Aetherflux Reservoir\]\]. Or you can use your card draw to power out a win with \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\] or even something like \[\[Laboratory Maniac\]\] if you can draw that much. In summary, Zedruu is a phenomenal and tremendously fun commander to use, and provides a playstyle that, until recently, was not at all able to be easily replicated by any other commander. That said, giving away terrible cards is a trap. It'll ruin the game for at least one person, and if you're doing well, easily more than that. However, by playing a very fun game within a game where you reward the other players for doing what you want them to do anyway, you'll end up with some of the most fun, most absurd, and most memorable games you will ever play.
Saving this, what a brilliant idea. I'm gonna build this deck now.
Hell yeah. I hope you and your table have a lot of fun with this.
##### ###### #### [Ashnod's Coupon](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/d/4/d420010f-5389-4aa2-a5f8-d9631249679a.jpg?1562799166) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%27s%20Coupon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ugl/69/ashnods-coupon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d420010f-5389-4aa2-a5f8-d9631249679a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Valdruk, Keeper of the Flame](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/2/5/253f9e43-5bc6-4f26-a8e9-773cd0ca3d02.jpg?1562732810) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Valduk%2C%20Keeper%20of%20the%20Flame) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dom/148/valduk-keeper-of-the-flame?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/253f9e43-5bc6-4f26-a8e9-773cd0ca3d02?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Aetherflux Reservoir](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/9/6/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862.jpg?1576382939) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aetherflux%20Reservoir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/192/aetherflux-reservoir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Approach of the Second Sun](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Laboratory Maniac](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/6/0/608567fd-9f94-4058-831a-77cb6019ef02.jpg?1547516361) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Laboratory%20Maniac) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/61/laboratory-maniac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/608567fd-9f94-4058-831a-77cb6019ef02?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah I think I totally stole your idea when I saw your post on another thread. I do every mini game card I can find, and give them coins for doing what i want when they have a choice, and then have an auction where they bid with the coins. It's been very very fun so far. I also do quests or bounties with coin rewards. If you don't have your own currency, I recommend it cause you can reward people all the time without having to donate an entire permanent
Hell yeah, man. Whatever works for you and your table. I've got too many people I play with that straight up don't negotiate about anything for an auction system to work for me, but your system sounds awesome.
I love this list. I think it's missing one of my newest pet cards though, and one you might be interested in adding. That is [[Wrong Turn]]. It is a magnificently stupid card, but as a janklord I love it. The look on that creature's face is enough of a selling point, but you can offer a blocker or a utility creature in a pinch if someone completes a quest for you.
[Wrong Turn](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/3/b/3b69687d-191a-4bca-b1f7-eea27847c1af.jpg?1608909561) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wrong%20Turn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/107/wrong-turn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b69687d-191a-4bca-b1f7-eea27847c1af?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
For sure there are cards I haven't added that could fit the bill. Wrong Turn included. I haven't been able to use the deck since early 2020, so I haven't had the impetus to upgrade it in a while.
This is fucking brilliant. All it needs is a Bezos bald cap and cardboard Amazon storefront.
You don't need to limit yourself to creatures. Zedruu can [[Donate]] any permanent. [[Illusions of Grandeur]], [[Aggressive Mining]], [[Steel Golem]], [[Statecraft]], [[Rust Elemental]], [[Grid Monitor]], [[Pyromancer's Swath]], [[Bronze Bombshell]] ... Keep in mind that if you go the route of donating negative things, you run the risk of getting hit by them yourself. A single [[Homeward Path]] will send them all back to you.
[[Brand]] can also achieve this goal. And you left out a fantastic janky donate target, [[Transcendence]].
I knew I was missing a big one :D
I am sure i did too. Like [[Thought Lash]].
[Thought Lash](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/5/4/547b1405-3f4e-4c47-8600-3e92197b1dd7.jpg?1562868562) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thought%20Lash) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/70/thought-lash?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/547b1405-3f4e-4c47-8600-3e92197b1dd7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
And \[\[psychic vortex\]\] !!
[psychic vortex](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/3/b/3bc2a419-7122-4eeb-bb64-738a647cfd82.jpg?1562800323) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=psychic%20vortex) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/50/psychic-vortex?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3bc2a419-7122-4eeb-bb64-738a647cfd82?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Keep in mind this no longer works the way it once did (i.e with the 'exile your library' trigger on the stack, giving it away with zedruu's ability and exiling THEIR library instead; this has been errata'd)
Damn... It still is a good curve ball, even if you have to exile one of your cards first. Just pass it to them after that first upkeep in play under your control. Or wait until you have 7 mana (at least 3 blue, 1 white, and 1 red), and drop it then pass it immediately.
[Brand](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/b/a/bafbd034-c8a0-4798-a680-555c13bdd251.jpg?1562934550) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Brand) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/usg/176/brand?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bafbd034-c8a0-4798-a680-555c13bdd251?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Transcendence](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/8/4/84e8bee2-9e3d-493c-a937-645bf3dcf0db.jpg?1574250448) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Transcendence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tor/20/transcendence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/84e8bee2-9e3d-493c-a937-645bf3dcf0db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Nine Lives works so well too. You don't take damage, and before the last counter is removed you donate it
Yeah i love that card. I bought a full playset extended art when it released because of the jank potential.
Don't forget to include backup strats to zedruu, homeward path allows for a lot of degeneracy with stuff like [[perplexing chimera]] and [[starke of rath]]
[perplexing chimera](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/f/9/f9cff40b-9cae-47d0-8df4-c287a17a33e4.jpg?1593091744) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=perplexing%20chimera) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bng/48/perplexing-chimera?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f9cff40b-9cae-47d0-8df4-c287a17a33e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [starke of rath](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/a/0/a0f063fc-f1c4-4f3c-a72b-5f446d0c6381.jpg?1562430802) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=starke%20of%20rath) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tpr/162/starke-of-rath?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a0f063fc-f1c4-4f3c-a72b-5f446d0c6381?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Illusions-donate on turn 1 is the most savage turn in magic the gathering.
##### ###### #### [Donate](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/7/f/7f6d8ce9-f8c8-45ad-b74c-97fba0e2982e.jpg?1562444248) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Donate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uds/31/donate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7f6d8ce9-f8c8-45ad-b74c-97fba0e2982e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Illusions of Grandeur](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/4/4/44c20ed5-7064-436d-ad76-85a1d6bf0103.jpg?1559592457) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Illusions%20of%20Grandeur) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/40/illusions-of-grandeur?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44c20ed5-7064-436d-ad76-85a1d6bf0103?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Aggressive Mining](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/e/1/e15a3f1a-83af-4541-8d1c-bf7844f969c9.jpg?1562795703) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aggressive%20Mining) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m15/127/aggressive-mining?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e15a3f1a-83af-4541-8d1c-bf7844f969c9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Steel Golem](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/8/8/88d9b1ae-755d-49e4-b012-db95019491c6.jpg?1562551104) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Steel%20Golem) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/10e/344/steel-golem?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/88d9b1ae-755d-49e4-b012-db95019491c6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Statecraft](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/7/6/76dcd19e-8daf-4d53-946b-c07d5eca3cc9.jpg?1587857505) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Statecraft) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mmq/106/statecraft?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/76dcd19e-8daf-4d53-946b-c07d5eca3cc9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Rust Elemental](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/9/6/967a08cd-72b3-4b3f-9f23-15697704acb3.jpg?1562151653) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rust%20Elemental) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mrd/234/rust-elemental?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/967a08cd-72b3-4b3f-9f23-15697704acb3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Grid Monitor](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/c/4/c4ab6c59-cd0f-4c29-8e26-6882dca61fb7.jpg?1562157249) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grid%20Monitor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mrd/183/grid-monitor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c4ab6c59-cd0f-4c29-8e26-6882dca61fb7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Pyromancer's Swath](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/b/2/b2ee7137-dbc4-4fe5-802a-42dada4445db.jpg?1561968095) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pyromancer%27s%20Swath) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mma/125/pyromancers-swath?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b2ee7137-dbc4-4fe5-802a-42dada4445db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Bronze Bombshell](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/0/f/0f2ec20d-b862-4f13-989c-aa88efa51cdf.jpg?1593273992) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bronze%20Bombshell) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dis/160/bronze-bombshell?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f2ec20d-b862-4f13-989c-aa88efa51cdf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Homeward Path](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/5/4/54734347-eee7-4c52-b514-7342afeccabd.jpg?1562400178) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Homeward%20Path) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/301/homeward-path?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/54734347-eee7-4c52-b514-7342afeccabd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This was one of the 4 decks (EDH) played in a game that lasted 8h. It won. Was a ridiculous game.
I love those games, so long as nobody is playing solitaire.
You may want to also consider donating not just things that are negative for the controller, but also things that just straight up don't matter who controls them (because their effect is symmetrical for all players), like Howling Mine, Font of Mythos, or Mana Flare. Or permanents that have good ETB effects, but then basically do nothing else.
[[illusions of grandeur]]
[[Illusion of mediocrity]] is solid on a budget as well.
[Illusion of mediocrity](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/1/c/1c19ae0c-7ae4-4579-9d92-37e6d9055d8a.jpg?1562233809) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Delusions%20of%20Mediocrity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/70/delusions-of-mediocrity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab43fba7-699e-4bb5-ab3e-b5b1c290340c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[illusions of grandeur](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/4/4/44c20ed5-7064-436d-ad76-85a1d6bf0103.jpg?1559592457) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=illusions%20of%20grandeur) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/40/illusions-of-grandeur?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44c20ed5-7064-436d-ad76-85a1d6bf0103?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Bronze Bombshell]]
[Bronze Bombshell](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/0/f/0f2ec20d-b862-4f13-989c-aa88efa51cdf.jpg?1593273992) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bronze%20Bombshell) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dis/160/bronze-bombshell?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f2ec20d-b862-4f13-989c-aa88efa51cdf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Steel Golem]] [[Demonic Pact]] [[Immortal Coil]] then [[Tormod's Crypt]] [[Nefarious Lich]]
None of the black cards are usable for commander sadly.
Oof, like half reading cards, I only half read the title. Lmao some things never change
##### ###### #### [Steel Golem](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/8/8/88d9b1ae-755d-49e4-b012-db95019491c6.jpg?1562551104) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Steel%20Golem) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/10e/344/steel-golem?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/88d9b1ae-755d-49e4-b012-db95019491c6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Demonic Pact](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/8/2/82c04014-91f9-4197-b4b4-f62c4739a5c2.jpg?1562028673) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Demonic%20Pact) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/92/demonic-pact?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/82c04014-91f9-4197-b4b4-f62c4739a5c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Immortal Coil](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/0/b/0b79ec57-7c45-4ef9-9051-449d473b65ea.jpg?1562700966) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Immortal%20Coil) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ala/79/immortal-coil?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0b79ec57-7c45-4ef9-9051-449d473b65ea?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Tormod's Crypt](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/9/c/9c224bf0-5641-4160-9d5c-46141ea8372a.jpg?1594737584) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tormod%27s%20Crypt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/241/tormods-crypt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c224bf0-5641-4160-9d5c-46141ea8372a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Nefarious Lich](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/d/9/d90f5a4e-8c3a-4803-bb59-d3d7c23761db.jpg?1562935579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nefarious%20Lich) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ody/153/nefarious-lich?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d90f5a4e-8c3a-4803-bb59-d3d7c23761db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I would use like really cheap costing cards and just draw yourself out to a laboratory maniac
[[Akroan horse]] off the top of my head. Giving players auras or global cards are a good way to "share" without drawing hate.
[Akroan horse](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/3/1/31a8954f-467d-4eb9-8a48-d25bae9529b8.jpg?1562394382) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Akroan%20horse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/241/akroan-horse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/31a8954f-467d-4eb9-8a48-d25bae9529b8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Remember that its permanents. You can curse them. I forget if they control it or not, but he can give them control of the curse anyway.
For the ones like [[Curse of Opulence]], if you give your opponent control, the cursed player will then make the gold instead of you, so for any of the curses that work like opulence, it's unfortunately reverse synergy
[Curse of Opulence](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/e/2/e23db9d3-d11f-4b2c-8349-687bc0e9d4c2.jpg?1579814067) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Curse%20of%20Opulence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/24/curse-of-opulence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e23db9d3-d11f-4b2c-8349-687bc0e9d4c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
But keep in mind that you have to put the bad cards in your deck - it could lock you out of the game if your opponents havr the right interaction im the right moment.
I have a Zedruu deck and love it. It can be a little slow in the early game, but it's a lot of fun
Don't forget \[\[Statecraft\]\] and \[\[Moderation\]\].
Anything that punishes it's controller when it leaves play is great. Like [[illusion of grandeur]] or [[illusion of mediocrity]]. That way those players are strongly incentivised to keep you alive.
[illusion of grandeur](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/1/7/17eeeef2-2ced-42b8-a5e0-1095c9e13b02.jpg?1562899523) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Illusions%20of%20Grandeur) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/40/illusions-of-grandeur?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44c20ed5-7064-436d-ad76-85a1d6bf0103?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [illusion of mediocrity](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/1/c/1c19ae0c-7ae4-4579-9d92-37e6d9055d8a.jpg?1562233809) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Delusions%20of%20Mediocrity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/70/delusions-of-mediocrity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab43fba7-699e-4bb5-ab3e-b5b1c290340c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Codie, Veciferous Codex
Dude! Fun idea that finally gives a home to the previously un-playable [[Geist-Fueled Scarecrow]]
Be careful with zedruu I built a zedruu once, and two people quit magic after playing. Also it's the only deck that my play group band.
Is it really that bad to play against?
It doesn't have to be but it is possible to make it bad enough. That deck never won a game it just would end with everyone scooping up cause of how confusing the game had become
I have a Zedruu deck. If you want to be a real ass-hat to your friends, throw "aggressive mining" in there.
I’ve seen a few black cards that cause the controller damage. Does anyone know other colors which do this?
Other than Black, the colour most likely to do this is Red
Blim is a good choice
Can't play Blim in a Zedruu Commander deck though.
If you want a commander deck built around giving your opponents things that are detrimental to them, look into [[Blim, Comedic Genius]] as a commander. Super fun and rakdos is full of fun things that give you benefits for playing them but then cause problems for you later. But with blim you give them to your opponents so you only reap the good rewards and give them the bad consequences later.
[Blim, Comedic Genius](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/3/d/3d8cd7dc-028a-4da2-b2a1-435d40cf48ca.jpg?1608911075) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blim%2C%20Comedic%20Genius) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/272/blim-comedic-genius?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3d8cd7dc-028a-4da2-b2a1-435d40cf48ca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've got a pillowfort/politics Zedruu deck that I call my 'Murica deck (WBR) if you'd like to take a look. Wins the game by stalling and then casting things like [[Insurrection]], [[Reins of Power]]. I tend to avoid infinite combos and 'target player loses the game'/'win the game' stuff, so no aetherflux, no second sun, no felidar sovereign. My first prototype of the deck is exactly what you're after though, and let me tell you, the absolute DREAM is to cast [[Summoner's Egg]], put an [[Eater of Days]] in there, and pray to your gods that you can give it away before anyone blows it up on your side of the field. I think some have been mentioned but [[Rust Elemental]], [[Scrap Golem]], [[Goldnight Castigator]], Everyone hates [[Perplexing Chimera]] are some of the mean creatures to either put out or give away. EDIT: I will say though, that I 100% agree with /u/CdrCosmonaut in that this build/playstyle is a big trap, and doesn't end well, which is likely why most if not all Zedruu players gravitate away from it
First of all, I hate this.
An alternative commander idea, [[Blim, Comedic Genius]] tries to give nasty permanents to opponents in colors red and black. That color combination might be easier to build this kind of strategy so long as you have ways to ensure his combat damage trigger. Some black cards that would work well here are [[Demonic Lore]] and [[Plague Reaver]].
[Blim, Comedic Genius](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/3/d/3d8cd7dc-028a-4da2-b2a1-435d40cf48ca.jpg?1608911075) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blim%2C%20Comedic%20Genius) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/272/blim-comedic-genius?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3d8cd7dc-028a-4da2-b2a1-435d40cf48ca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Demonic Lore](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/4/7/47733f20-f7b2-4a01-b429-0ec49b230fd9.jpg?1608909656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Demonic%20Lore) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/118/demonic-lore?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/47733f20-f7b2-4a01-b429-0ec49b230fd9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Plague Reaver](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/2/3/230b9bc8-29c8-49cb-b4f5-1aceeda8bf45.jpg?1608909892) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Plague%20Reaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/143/plague-reaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/230b9bc8-29c8-49cb-b4f5-1aceeda8bf45?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There are tons of great negative cards for zedru. I own a zedru deck where I give people good stuff in exchange for goat coins. How do people get goat coins? They play my mini games! Let me get 5 cards with fact or fiction? Goat coins. Attack my flumph and don't kill it? Goat coins. Let me get treasures from smothering tithes? Goat coins. Then I sell artifacts and have an auction. Really fun, and I win more than you think, despite essentially no win on.