Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar: A Powerful and Iconic Commander

Overview and Strategic Potential

Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar is a powerful and iconic commander that excels in aggressive, burn-heavy decks. Its ability allows it to deal damage not only to the target opponent but also to other opponents, making it a formidable force on the battlefield.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Kediss's ability is triggered by any commander in play, not just its partner. This means that if you have a commander with an ability that triggers when another creature deals combat damage (such as Tatyova, Benthic Druid), Kediss will benefit from it as well. Additionally, the partner keyword allows for the possibility of playing two commanders on the same board, which can lead to interesting interactions and strategic decisions.

When a commander with partner is dealt combat damage, Kediss's ability will trigger and deal the same amount of damage to each opponent except the one that triggered the ability in the first place. This creates a snowball effect, where more and more opponents take damage as the game progresses.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Kediss is typically played in aggressive decks that focus on dealing direct damage to opponents quickly. To maximize its potential, players often combine Kediss with burn spells and other creatures that can deal significant amounts of damage in a single turn.

One popular combo involves pairing Kediss with Searing Blood, which deals 3 damage to each opponent when cast. If you have multiple sources of direct damage, such as Fireblast or Inferno Titan, this can lead to devastating board states where all opponents are taking significant amounts of damage.

Another strategic use for Kediss is in controlling the board and protecting it from opposing creatures. Its ability makes it a formidable blocker, and its low power/toughness make it easy to sacrifice to gain advantage elsewhere on the board.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Kediss is typically played as the commander in aggressive burn decks, but it can also be used in more controlling or midrange strategies if you want to focus on protecting your life total rather than dealing direct damage. Some deck archetypes that Kediss excels in include:

• Burn decks with multiple sources of direct damage (e.g., Fireblast, Inferno Titan)
• Aggro decks with an emphasis on quick, repeatable damage
• Control decks that focus on protecting life total and disrupting opponents

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Kediss is a popular commander in Modern formats, particularly in aggressive burn decks. Its ability to deal significant amounts of damage to all opponents makes it a formidable force at the table.

In recent years, Kediss has been banned or restricted in various Modern formats due to its sheer power level. However, it's still considered a viable and competitive choice for players who want to play aggressive burn decks.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Kediss's ability is not affected by evasion or other forms of protection that prevent damage from hitting the opponent with power 0 or less. Additionally, its ability does not trigger when an opponent would lose life due to a triggered ability (such as Path to Exile), but rather when actual combat damage is dealt.

It's also worth noting that Kediss's partner keyword only applies to its ability, and not to any other effects it may have on the board. This means that if you play two commanders with partner, their abilities will still work independently of each other.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Kediss is an iconic creature from the Magic: The Gathering lore, specifically from the Zendikar set. It's a powerful and majestic elemental lizard that serves as a familiar to the commander Kediss.

In terms of art, Kediss is depicted as a large, imposing creature with glowing red eyes and scaly skin. Its ability reflects its natural role as a fierce and formidable predator in the Zendikar world.

Conclusion Summary

Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar is a powerful and iconic commander that excels in aggressive burn decks. Its ability to deal significant amounts of damage to all opponents makes it a formidable force on the battlefield. While its power level can make it a challenging choice for players, Kediss remains a viable and competitive option in Modern formats.

To maximize Kediss's potential, players should focus on building aggressive burn decks with multiple sources of direct damage. The creature also benefits from being paired with other creatures that can deal significant amounts of damage in a single turn. With careful deckbuilding and strategic play, Kediss can be a key component of a winning strategy.

Overall, Kediss is a must-play commander for fans of aggressive burn decks and those looking to add some raw power to their gameplay experience.

Deckbuilding Considerations

When building an aggressive burn deck with Kediss, it's essential to focus on creating a cohesive and efficient game plan. This can involve pairing Kediss with other creatures that can deal significant amounts of damage in a single turn, such as the aforementioned Searing Blood or Inferno Titan.

In addition to dealing direct damage, players should also consider how to protect their life total and disrupt opponents. This can be achieved through the use of counterspells, removal spells, or life gain cards.

Burn decks with multiple sources of direct damage are particularly well-suited for Kediss, as they allow the creature to trigger its ability repeatedly and deal significant amounts of damage to all opponents.

Card Synergies and Combinations

Kediss's ability creates a number of opportunities for card synergies and combinations. For example, pairing Kediss with burn spells like Fireblast or Lightning Bolt can lead to devastating board states where all opponents are taking significant amounts of damage.

Another popular combination involves pairing Kediss with creatures that have abilities that trigger when another creature deals combat damage. For example, the creature Tatyova, Benthic Druid has an ability that triggers when a creature deals combat damage, which makes it a great fit for Kediss.

Power Level and Format Viability

Kediss's power level can be a significant consideration when playing in competitive formats. While it is still considered a viable option in Modern, its sheer power level may make it difficult to compete with more popular commanders.

In recent years, Kediss has been banned or restricted in various Modern formats due to its ability to deal significant amounts of damage to all opponents. However, players who want to play aggressive burn decks and are willing to take on the challenge can still find success with Kediss.

Conclusion

Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar is a powerful and iconic commander that excels in aggressive burn decks. Its ability to deal significant amounts of damage to all opponents makes it a formidable force on the battlefield. With careful deckbuilding and strategic play, Kediss can be a key component of a winning strategy.

Overall, Kediss is a must-play commander for fans of aggressive burn decks and those looking to add some raw power to their gameplay experience.