Sphere of Influence: May 16, 2025

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

The success of Tarkir: Dragonstorm and the hype around the new Final Fantasy set means that Duskmourn, released last September, feels more like a pleasant memory than an active nightmare. The time felt right to revisit in search of great and affordable Commander cards. Join me, only in dreams…

Enduring Innocence - $4

I don't see a world where the price of this card trends downward anytime soon. It represents an upgraded Welcoming Vampire or Mentor of the Meek that's hard to kill and gains you a bit of life in the process. Consider this purchase an investment on white card draw for the future.

Razorkin Needlehead - $3.50

While not likely to change the game in a substantial way unless you're running a number of wheel effects, Razorkin Needlehead remains a solid cheapster that can come down quick and deter early attacks while doing some direct damage to opponents. Later in the game, with card draw engines active, don't be surprised if you can score 3-4 pings a turn. In the right meta, perhaps more.

Split Up - $2

Since the inception of the format, Commander players have telegraphed incoming board wipes by attacking with every creature they control. Why not profit from this move? Some of your chumpsters may die in the attack process, but your biggest threats can remain to fight another day. Split Up also works great when you're on the defensive and need to leave up blockers. Sure, the stars need to somewhat align, but this board wipe is only three mana, a huge selling point.

Unwanted Remake - $0.20

One-mana unconditional removal spells will always be in fashion, even this Duskmourn: House of Horror gem that rewards opponents with merely a 2/2 face-down irrelevant card (with few exceptions). It felt worth calling out the fact that, for the same $1 price as the normal printing, the metal-as-f alternate art version is five for $1. Worth grabbing some as back-ups for staples.

Arabella, Abandoned Doll - $0.50

Sure, this is an uncommon that sees narrow Commander play, but in the decks where it fits, it serves as one of the best cards, every time. It asks very little of players other than continue running the weenies and token-generators they were likely already going to run, drains life directly from opponents and provides enough life gain to catapult you out of the danger zone later in the game. I could see this card beginning to inch up in price, and you might as well be an early adopter of the creepy doll.

Final Fantasies

How are you liking the new Final Fantasy set so far this preview season? Are the cards good enough to make even the most staunchly anti-UB players excited? Are you one of those? I'd love to know!