Etali, Primal Storm

A 6/6 legendary creature that exiles the top card of each player's library on attack, allowing you to cast spells from those cards without paying their mana costs. This effect can be abused with cards like Grave Pact, enabling extremely cheap spellcasting. In Commander, Etali is a force to be reckoned with, particularly in aggressive decks that want to swarm the board.

Power Level: High Main Use Cases: * Abusing cheap spells with Grave Pact or similar effects * Swarming the board in aggressive Commander decks

Popular Formats: Commander, primarily due to its aggressive potential.

Card Functionality

Etali, Primal Storm is a 6/6 legendary creature that exerts influence on the game when it attacks. Its primary effect involves exiling cards from each player's library and allowing the caster to cast spells from those cards without paying their mana costs.

Keyword Abilities and Interactions

There are no keyword abilities associated with Etali, Primal Storm, but its Oracle Text is the core of its functionality.

• Whenever Etali attacks, it triggers a resolution that involves exiling the top card of each player's library. This includes:
  • Exiling the top card from the library for each player on the battlefield.
  • Players can't play lands or use abilities to exile cards while this effect is resolving.
  • The exiled cards are placed face up in a separate zone, effectively creating a shared graveyard between players.
• The second part of Etali's Oracle Text allows the caster to cast spells from among the exiled cards without paying their mana costs. This includes spells that have already been cast and are now on the stack or battlefield:
  • Any spell with a mana cost can be cast as long as its source is in the shared graveyard.
  • The spell's original colors, flavor text, and any other effects remain intact.

Stack and Battlefield Functionality

When Etali attacks:

1. Exiling the top card of each player's library triggers first.
2. After exiling the cards, the caster can choose to cast spells from among those cards without paying their mana costs.

On the battlefield, Etali functions like any other creature. Its power and toughness remain unchanged, but its attack trigger affects the game's meta, enabling aggressive strategies or altering deck builds based on available spell options:

• Combining Etali with Card Advantage effects, such as Maelstrom Pulse, allows players to benefit from exiling cards while also creating a draw engine.
• Pairing it with Draw and Card Search effects, like Thought-Knot Seer or Trostani's Summoner, enables players to generate card advantage by casting spells without paying their mana costs.

Edge cases:

• If the top card of each player's library is a basic land, they can still be cast from among the exiled cards without paying their mana costs. However, if Etali attacks on its own turn and no other creatures are attacking (e.g., due to Necrotic Ooze's ability), it will not trigger the attack effect.
• If a player has a spell with an Entangle or Counter ability in their hand that is exiled by Etali's attack, they can choose to cast it from among those cards without paying its mana cost. However, if the spell's source is no longer on the battlefield (e.g., due to Fires of Invention), the spell cannot be cast.

In multiplayer formats or when playing against opponents with multiple creatures attacking simultaneously:

• If Etali attacks as one of several creatures and is not the only attacker, its effect will still trigger after all other combat damage has been resolved.

Etali, Primal Storm is a powerful and highly sought-after card in competitive Commander decks. Its ability to exile the top card of each player's library during combat presents numerous strategic opportunities for deckbuilders.

Key Strategies:

• Token Generation: Etali can be used to generate tokens quickly by playing it alongside Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God or other creatures that benefit from token synergy.
• Disrupting Opponents: Exiling the top card of each library during combat creates a significant advantage for the controlling player. This can disrupt opponents' plans and make it more challenging for them to respond effectively.
• Ramp and Combo: Etali's ability also enables players to cast expensive spells without paying their mana costs, making it an excellent addition to combo and ramp-focused decks.

Color Identities:

• Red Aggro: Etali is a staple in many Red Aggro Commander decks, as its ability complements the aggressive nature of these lists.
• Mono-Red: With its low conversion cost and high power/toughness, Etali shines in Mono-Red decks focused on burning and ramping.

Competitive Builds:

• Sultai Combo: This archetype utilizes Etali to generate value from discarded cards while maintaining a strong removal suite. Infectious Assassin and Mox Opal are popular additions.
• Golgari Midrange: Etali's ability to disrupt opponents' plans is particularly effective in Golgari decks, which often rely on mid-game ramp and token generation.

Casual Builds:

• Ramp- Heavy Decks: Players who enjoy building high-mana-value cards around Sol Ring or Mox Opal will appreciate Etali's ability to turn those investments into instant value.
• Token Swarm: Complementing tokens with Keranos, God of Storms and Niv-Mizzet, Master of Elements, Etali enables players to create overwhelming boards and finish games quickly.

Niche Builds:

• Dinosaur Tribal: As a powerful Elder Dinosaur, Etali is an excellent fit for Dinosaur Tribal decks. This archetype often pairs well with Wulfgar, Unyielding Berserker and Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient, which provide additional value through token generation and combat.

Overall, Etali, Primal Storm offers unparalleled versatility in Commander games, making it a highly sought-after addition to many competitive and casual decks.

Etali, Primal Storm is a formidable addition to any Commander deck, particularly those focused on red and dinosaur tribal. Its ability to exile the top card of each player's library when it attacks offers a unique opportunity for aggressive gameplay.

Synergy with Card Draw

Etali pairs well with cards that provide additional card draw, such as Trostani's Summoner or Keldon Megaliths. By combining Etali with these cards, you can create a powerful draw engine that pulls in multiple spells from the exiled cards. For example:

• Exile a spell like Lightning Bolt or Shock using Etali's ability.
• Use the drawn card to fuel additional attacks or plays.

Complementing Aggressive Strategies

Etali's power and toughness make it an excellent fit for aggressive decks that aim to deal as much damage as possible. Consider pairing it with cards like Berserk or Soul-Scar Mage, which increase Etali's attack value or provide additional ways to generate mana.

Combining with Removal Spells

Removing opposing creatures can create a clear path for Etali's attacks. Cards like Abrupt Decay or Doom Blade can help clear the way for Etali to exile the top card of each player's library and cast spells from among those cards without paying their mana costs.

Using Exiled Spells

The exiled spells can be a valuable resource in themselves, particularly if they're high-power or have significant synergy with your deck. Consider using Squee, Dubious Treasure to tutor for these exiled spells or Griselbrand to gain card advantage from them.

Etali, Primal Storm is an excellent addition to any Commander deck focused on aggressive gameplay and creative uses of card draw and removal.

Etali, Primal Storm Mistakes to Avoid

In Commander games featuring Etali, Primal Storm, players often make critical mistakes that hinder their deck's potential. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for optimal performance.

Poor Timing of Exiling Cards

When Etali attacks and exiles the top card from each player's library, timing is essential. Failing to immediately cast the exiled cards can lead to a missed opportunity to utilize the power of Etali, Primal Storm. Players should be prepared to cast these spells on their next available turn.

Misunderstanding Exile vs. Discard

Exiling and discarding are often misunderstood in Commander games. Etali's ability exiles the top card, whereas cards like Eidolon of Ransom discard a random card from the hand. This distinction is crucial for players to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Overlooking Card Advantage

Some players underestimate the value of card advantage provided by Etali. Exiling and casting spells without paying their mana costs can significantly improve one's position in the game. For example, exiling Lightning Bolt and Fireball from an opponent's deck can provide a crucial tempo swing.

Insufficient Mana Development

Etali requires 4RR to play, but often players don't develop enough red mana sources early on. In Commander, it's essential to have a robust mana base that supports the gameplan.

Underestimating Etali's Impact

Etali is often overlooked as a key card in aggressive decks. However, its ability can significantly impact gameplay by creating an advantage for the attacking player.

Best Practices

• Be prepared to cast exiled cards immediately after Etali attacks.
• Understand the difference between exile and discard.
• Utilize Etali's ability to create card advantage.
• Develop a robust mana base that supports your gameplan.
• Recognize the impact of Etali on gameplay.

Etali, Primal Storm is a rare Legendary Creature from the Strixhaven: School of Mages set. Its mana cost is {4}{R}{R} and power/toughness is 6/6.

The card's ability to exile the top card of each player's library when it attacks allows for a unique interaction with spellcasting. Players can cast spells from the exiled cards without paying their mana costs, potentially leading to powerful plays.

EDHREC ranks Etali at 253 in its popularity rankings, indicating moderate usage in Commander decks. Its price is $43.15 USD for a foil copy.

When building an Etali Commander deck, consider including other creatures and cards that allow you to mill your opponents' libraries. Some possible combinations include:

• Adriana, Captain of the Guard: A legendary creature with a similar effect to Griselbrand.
• Bolas's Citadel: A sorcery that allows you to take control of an opponent's permanent.

Keep in mind that building an Etali Commander deck may require some creative deck-building and strategic thinking.

Some possible budget-friendly options for alternative cards include:

• Griselbrand: A legendary creature with a similar effect, allowing you to mill cards from the opponent's library. Its price is around $10-15 USD.
• Yixlid Raider: A 2/4 red creature that allows you to draw two cards when it attacks. This card can serve as a more affordable alternative for building an Etali deck. Price: around $5-8 USD.
• Sylvan Caryatid: A green creature with a similar effect, allowing you to draw two cards and gain life. Its price is around $3-5 USD.

These options may not provide the same level of power as Etali but can help build a more budget-friendly deck that achieves similar goals.

In multiplayer games with multiple attackers, Etali's presence on the board creates an interesting dynamic. Its ability to exile top cards forces players to reconsider their life totals and mana development. This can lead to intense negotiations between players as they weigh the risks of attacking with Etali against the potential benefits of disrupting opponents' plans.

Overall, Etali excels in games where disruption and manipulation are key elements, such as multiplayer Commander or casual formats. Its power in these environments makes it a valuable addition to any deck seeking to disrupt opponents' plans and generate card advantage.

Etali, Primal Storm is a powerful and flexible card that can be built around to create a wide range of strategies. As a 6/6 creature with a mana cost of {4}{R}{R}, it's an excellent addition to any red-based deck.

Commanders and Color Identities

Etali works well with various red commanders, including:

• Keldon Marauders' leader, Korlash, Truth-Ray
• Gadrin's commander, Gadrin, the Marsh Creper
• and Burn-based commanders like Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient

It also pairs nicely with other red creatures that benefit from card draw or discard, such as Mogg Fanatic and Infernal Bloodhound.

Themes

Etali is a prime example of a card that can be built around to create a Storm deck. By exiling the top cards of each player's library and allowing you to cast spells from those cards without paying their mana costs, Etali essentially creates an infinite storm of free spellcasting. This theme can also include other cards like Lightning Bolt, Fireball, and Mystic Remora.

Another possible theme is a Burn deck, which focuses on dealing direct damage to opponents and using low-toughness creatures to clear the board. Etali's ability to exile top cards and cast spells from them makes it an excellent addition to this type of deck.

Engines

Etali works well with several engines that generate card draw or discard, including:

• Rackling Cacophony: A card that creates a storm by exiling creatures and allowing you to cast spells for free.
• Chandra, Torch of Defiance: A planeswalker that allows you to exile cards from your library and cast spells without paying their mana costs.
• Bolas's Citadel: An artifact that creates an eternal storm by exiling the top card of each player's library.

Synergy Cards

Some synergy cards that work well with Etali include:

• Shivan Dragon: A 6/5 red dragon that, when paired with Etali, can create a massive board presence.
• Chandra's Defiance: An instant that allows you to exile the top card of your library and cast spells from it without paying their mana costs.
• Infernal Bloodhound: A 1/2 creature that can generate an eternal storm by exiling creatures and allowing you to cast spells for free.

Combo Notes

When paired with cards like Mystic Remora or Keldon Marauders, Etali can create a devastating combo by exiling multiple top cards of each player's library and casting powerful spells from them. This can lead to explosive board clears, massive creature swarms, and quick wins.

Keep in mind that building around Etali requires a strong focus on red-themed cards, card draw, and discard engines. However, with the right combination of cards, it can create a powerful and unpredictable deck that's difficult for opponents to counter.

Etali, Primal Storm is a powerful and complex card in Commander that can greatly impact the game's trajectory. Its ability to exile the top card of each player's library when it attacks creates a unique opportunity for players to draw cards and generate value.

In terms of its competitive viability, Etali, Primal Storm sees limited play due to its high mana cost and conditional abilities. It is often overshadowed by more consistent and straightforward removal spells like Soul-Scar Mage or Anguished Unmaking. However, in the right deck with a well-designed strategy, Etali can provide an explosive finish.

In casual formats, Etali's potential for card advantage and value generation makes it appealing to players who enjoy playing more creative and aggressive decks. Paired with creatures like Kumano Faces or Shivan Dragon, Etali can create a formidable attacking presence on the board.

Some possible applications of Etali in Commander include:

• Combining it with cards that generate card advantage, such as Estrid, the Masked or Ezuri, Renowned Leader
• Pairing it with spells that reduce the cost of casting, like Glimpse of Nature or Trostani's Invocation
• Using Etali to fuel a mid-game Karn's Sorrow-style combo for an explosive win

In terms of pricing, a foil copy of Etali, Primal Storm is currently valued at $43.15 USD. This price reflects its relative rarity and potential in Commander decks.

Overall, Etali, Primal Storm remains a niche card that holds potential in the right deck, but its high mana cost and conditional abilities limit its playability.

Etali, Primal Storm in Commander

Etali's abilities make it a formidable attacker and spellcaster. Its power to exile the top card of each player's library when attacking creates an interesting dynamic, especially in multiplayer games where players may be forced to discard key cards.

In scenarios where Etali is the sole attacker, its ability can disrupt opponents' plans by removing their most powerful spells from contention. This can give you a significant advantage in the late game as opponents struggle to recover from the loss of their top cards.

However, if an opponent has a way to consistently generate card advantage or protect themselves from library disruption, Etali's impact is reduced. Cards like Liliana of the Veil or The Locust God can mitigate the effects of Etali's ability by removing key spells and protecting life totals.

In multiplayer games with multiple attackers, Etali's ability becomes even more potent as each player's library is disrupted. This creates a complex web of interactions between players, making it challenging for opponents to recover from Etali's attack.

Combos and Interactions

Etali pairs well with spells that benefit from card advantage or can generate value from discarded cards. Cards like Cultivate or Rampant Growth can help accelerate the game state, allowing you to cast more expensive spells without paying their mana costs.

Be wary of playing Etali in a deck that relies heavily on individual card power. While its ability can be powerful, it may not provide enough value if your opponents have ways to neutralize or recover from the disruption.

Board Presence and Politics

In multiplayer games with multiple attackers, Etali's presence on the board creates an interesting dynamic. Its ability to exile top cards forces players to reconsider their life totals and mana development. This can lead to intense negotiations between players as they weigh the risks of attacking with Etali against the potential benefits of disrupting opponents' plans.

Overall, Etali excels in games where disruption and manipulation are key elements, such as multiplayer Commander or casual formats. Its power in these environments makes it a valuable addition to any deck seeking to disrupt opponents' plans and generate card advantage.

Etali, Primal Storm is a rare Legendary Creature from the Strixhaven: School of Mages set. It has a mana cost of {4}{R}{R} and a power/toughness of 6/6.

Etali's ability to exile the top card of each player's library when it attacks allows for a unique interaction with spellcasting. Players can cast spells from the exiled cards without paying their mana costs, potentially leading to powerful plays.

EDHREC ranks Etali at 253 in its popularity rankings, indicating moderate usage in Commander decks. Its price is $43.15 USD for a foil copy.

Notably, Etali has appeared in some iconic Commander decks that focus on disrupting opponents' library and exploiting their card advantage. These decks often pair Etali with cards like Thoughtseize or Ingested Soul to further disrupt the opponent's library and create an advantage through card draw and exile.

In the vast, primordial lands of Zendikar, where the earth trembles and the skies unleash their fury, Etali, Primal Storm reigns as a behemoth among dinosaurs. This ancient creature embodies the raw power of nature, its very presence shattering the balance between land and sky.

As a legendary Elder Dinosaur, Etali's domain is one of untamed force, where storms rage across the horizon and volcanoes spew forth molten lava. Its massive form cuts through the chaos like a scythe, leaving destruction in its wake. In the face of such unbridled might, opponents tremble at the thought of facing Etali on the battlefield.

Etali's abilities are a manifestation of this elemental power. Whenever it attacks, the very fabric of reality is torn asunder, allowing Etali to exorcise a measure of chaos from its enemies' libraries. The cards that emerge – whether ancient incantations or relics forged in the depths of the earth – become mere playthings for Etali's whims.

With its opponents' spells laid bare, Etali seizes the opportunity to unleash devastating combos, harnessing the raw energy of the storm to fuel its attacks. A simple matter, really, as the legendary dinosaur wades through defenses with ease, leaving shattered remnants in its wake. The once-mighty structures that stood against it now lie in ruins, a testament to Etali's unyielding fury.

Those who dare oppose Etali must be prepared to confront the primal forces that govern this unforgiving world. To stand any chance against this titanic creature, they'll need to master the dark arts of chaos and destruction – skills forged from the very heart of Zendikar itself.