The recently-released Ikora, Lair of Behemoths introduced innovative mechanics to Magic: The Gathering that immediately changed the metagame, improving old decks and creating brand new ones. Undoubtedly the most impactful one was Companion - a new style of creature that starts the game outside of your deck, in a way similar to Commander. There are 10 cards with the Companion keyword and some are more useful than others, which begs the question - who is the best? Is it the majestic Yorion, Sky Nomad?
Meet Yorion
Well, the short answer is yes. This may or may not come as a surprise. Before we begin, let’s get a couple of things out of the way.
First, Keruga the Macrosage is arguably the most popular Companion right now, but mostly because of one build - the Jeskai Fires brew that’s the most popular competitive deck at the moment. While it’s fair to say that the macro-hippo is currently the most favored, Yorion, Sky Nomad is viable in a whole bunch of great competitive decks in various colors, making it much more versatile and a better bank-for-the-buck overall.
Second, at great cost to our sanity, we will make no Pokémon references in this article and we shall in no way mention Lugia, Articuno, or Moltres. Godzilla was quite enough already. That was a joke, by the way.
Without furder ado, let’s jump straight into some decklists that you can build around Yorion and win some games while soaring through the air like the awe-inspiring divine bird-serpent that you are deep inside.
Yorion Fires
As a starter, why not take the popular Fires strategy but add 100% more bird? Yorion Fires is a very interesting build sporting a thick 80-card Mainboard in all sorts of colors to get the job done.
MAINBOARD
4x Atris, Oracle of Half-Truths3x Fae of Wishes // Granted1x Narset of the Ancient Way4x Narset, Parter of Veils4x Teferi, Time Raveler1x Cry of the Carnarium3x Elspeth Conquers Death2x Extinction Event4x Fires of Invention4x Oath of Kaya4x Omen of the Sea4x Shark Typhoon4x Thought Erasure4x Blood Crypt4x Godless Shrine4x Hallowed Fountain1x Interplanar Beacon
1x Island4x Raugrin Triome4x Savai Triome4x Steam Vents1x Swamp4x Temple of Deceit1x Temple of Enlightenment1x Temple of Silence4x Watery Grave1x Zagoth Triome
SIDEBOARD
1x Aether Gust2x Agonizing Remorse3x Cry of the Carnarium1x Elspeth Conquers Death1x Inspired Ultimatum2x Mystical Dispute1x Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God1x Shatter the Sky2x Thought Distortion1x Yorion, Sky Nomad
Bant Ramp
Bant can’t? Nonsense! Bant sure can Ramp and then take complete control over the game with this thinking man’s build. Remember, it’s not about you playing Magic, it’s about making your opponent not play Magic.
MAINBOARD
3x Agent of Treachery4x Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath3x Narset, Parter of Veils3x Tamiyo, Collector of Tales4x Teferi, Time Raveler3x Aether Gust4x Elspeth Conquers Death4x Growth Spiral4x Neutralize4x Omen of the Sea4x Shark Typhoon4x Shatter the Sky4x Breeding Pool2x Castle Vantress4x Fabled Passage2x Forest4x Hallowed Fountain3x Island1x Plains4x Temple Garden4x Temple of Enlightenment4x Temple of Mystery4x Temple of Plenty
SIDEBOARD
1x Aether Gust1x Dovin's Veto4x Glass Casket3x Knight of Autumn4x Mystical Dispute1x Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves1x Yorion, Sky Nomad
Azorius Control
Hey, and speaking of control, we can’t neglect the archetype that Paulo Vitor Damo “PVDDR” da Rosa used to win the World Championship! That’s right, good old white-blue Azorius Control is still extremely competitive and now has more chicken than ever! Let’s take a look at the list.MAINBOARD
2x Dream Trawler4x Narset, Parter of Veils4x Teferi, Time Raveler4x Absorb1x Banishing Light2x Dovin's Veto4x Elspeth Conquers Death4x Essence Scatter2x Glass Casket2x Mystical Dispute4x Omen of the Sea4x Shark Typhoon4x Shatter the Sky3x The Birth of Meletis3x Thirst for Meaning
4x Castle Ardenvale4x Castle Vantress2x Fabled Passage1x Field of Ruin4x Hallowed Fountain8x Island4x Plains3x Raugrin Triome3x Temple of Enlightenment
SIDEBOARD
4x Aether Gust2x Archon of Sun's Grace1x Devout Decree2x Dovin's Veto3x Grafdigger's Cage2x Mystical Dispute1x Yorion, Sky Nomad
In conclusion
Those decklists pretty much speak for themselves. It’s made clear that Yorion, Sky Nomad is one of - if not the - most versatile companions in the game, being used effectively in different strategies and color combinations. The requirement to wield an 80-card deck appeals to those players who want to put all the combo pieces and watch them interact with each other and the opposing side of the battlefield. If you can only craft one Commander this month, look no further.
And if you want to read on MTGA news, tips and strategies, look no further than EarlyGame.com!
