Jeska's Will

This rare sorcery from Core Set 2020 is a powerful card in Commander decks, particularly those with red as the primary color. With a mana cost of {2}{R}, it offers a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.

When casting Jeska's Will, you can choose one of two options: add {R} for each card in your opponent's hand or exile the top three cards of your library to play them this turn. If you control a commander, you can choose both options instead, providing an additional layer of flexibility.

Power Level: 8/10 Main Use Cases:

• Commander decks with red as the primary color, taking advantage of Jeska's Will's ability to add {R} for each card in your opponent's hand.
• Decks focused on ramping up mana quickly, using Jeska's Will to accelerate their gameplan.

Most Popular Formats: Commander, particularly those using red as a primary or secondary color.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Jeska's Will is a Sorcery that offers two distinct effects, allowing the player to choose one or both when casting. The card interacts with several other mechanics and cards in the game.

Casting and Resolution

When Jeska's Will is cast, the player must choose one of the two options. If they control a Commander as they cast this spell, they may choose both instead. This means that if a player has a Commander on the battlefield, they can take advantage of both effects simultaneously.

1. Adding {R}: The first option allows the player to add {R} for each card in the target opponent's hand. For example, if the opponent has 5 cards in their hand, the player will gain 5 mana. This effect is a powerful way to ramp up the player's mana, especially when combined with other mana-generating effects.
2. Exiling and Playing: The second option involves exileing the top three cards of the library, allowing the player to play them this turn. This can create a surprise element on the battlefield, as the exiled cards may have significant impact when played.

Edge Cases

• If a player controls no Commander but chooses the "exile and play" option, they will still exile the top three cards of their library.
• If a player has no mana remaining after adding {R} for each card in the opponent's hand, they cannot use this effect to gain additional mana.
• Exiled cards can be played immediately if they are already castable; otherwise, they remain exiled until their conditions are met.

Commander-Specific Quirks

As a Sorcery, Jeska's Will can be cast during the Commander phase. If a player controls a Commander and chooses to take both options, they will gain 5 mana (2 from adding {R} for each card in the opponent's hand) and potentially play three exiled cards this turn.

Example

Commander: Koskun's Command (CMC:3) Opponent's Hand: 5 cards

Player casts Jeska's Will, choosing both options. They gain 5 {R} mana and exile the top three cards of their library. If these exiled cards are castable, they can be played immediately.

Unusual Rules Interactions

Jeska's Will interacts with several cards that manipulate hand size or library contents. Some examples include:

• Chalice of the Void: This artifact would reduce the number of cards in an opponent's hand, potentially affecting Jeska's Will's effect.
• Mox Opal: This artifact can help players generate mana more efficiently, making it easier to take advantage of Jeska's Will's effects.

Players must carefully consider these interactions when building a deck around Jeska's Will.

Jeska's Will is a versatile sorcery that offers two distinct benefits depending on the player's situation. Its primary advantage lies in its ability to disrupt opponents by adding red mana for each card in their hand, potentially flooding them with an overwhelming amount of fuel.

Combo and Aggro Strategies

Red decks, especially those built around aggressive commanders like Jeska, Tenacious Pup, or even a token-generating commander like Goredigger, can heavily rely on Jeska's Will. By adding {R} for each card in the opponent's hand, these decks can accelerate their development, allowing them to play more threats and attacks earlier in the game.

For example:

• A Jeska deck with Lightning Bolt as its primary removal spell can now cast it sooner due to the added mana from Jeska's Will.
• A Goredigger deck that uses token-generating creatures like Mogg Fanatic or Goblin Piledriver can produce more tokens with Jeska's Will, turning the game in their favor.

Mill Strategies

On the other hand, players controlling a commander as they cast Jeska's Will gain access to both options. Exiling the top three cards of their library and playing them this turn is a significant advantage for mill strategies. Mill decks often rely on drawing the right combination of cards to execute their gameplan.

For example:

• A Kess, Dissident Windsage deck that focuses on milling can use Jeska's Will to exile and play crucial cards like Ad Nauseam or Millstone earlier than usual.
• An Aurelia, the Warleader deck can accelerate its ability to mill with Eternal Witness by playing Jeska's Will, which allows them to recycle their mill creatures more efficiently.

Casual and Competitive Play

In casual play, Jeska's Will is a powerful tool for disrupting opponents' plans. It's particularly useful in commander formats where players often have a wide range of cards available. For competitive play, the card's value lies in its ability to accelerate development and provide a significant advantage in aggressive or mill-focused decks.

Overall, Jeska's Will is a valuable addition to any red deck that emphasizes aggression or milling. Its versatility makes it an attractive option for players looking to adapt their strategies to different game scenarios.

Advanced Techniques for Jeska's Will

Jeska's Will is a versatile sorcery that can provide a significant advantage in Commander gameplay, particularly when paired with the right commander and deck strategies. This card offers two distinct effects, allowing players to choose between disrupting their opponent or manipulating their own library.

Disrupting Opponents

When casting Jeska's Will, you can choose to add {R} for each card in your target opponent's hand. This ability is particularly effective when combined with burn spells or creatures that generate mana efficiently. For example:

• Pyroclasm: Deal 3 damage to any target for {1}{R}. With Jeska's Will adding {R} for each card in an opponent's hand, you can potentially create a 9-damage burst from Pyroclasm.
• Monastery Mentor: A 2/2 creature with flying that generates {2}{W}, {2}{U}, or {2}{B}. Jeska's Will allows you to add {R} for each card in an opponent's hand, potentially creating a large army of Monastery Mentors.

Manipulating the Library

Alternatively, you can choose to exile the top three cards of your library and play them this turn. This ability is particularly useful when combined with commanders that have abilities related to card draw or manipulation. For example:

• Atraxa: A commander that allows you to search for any instant or sorcery in your library and cast it for its mana cost without paying the colorless cost. Jeska's Will can help Atraxa by exiling the top three cards of your library, allowing you to play multiple instants or sorceries on the same turn.
• Krenko: A commander that allows you to create 2/2 Goblin creature tokens with trample for each 1 mana spent. Jeska's Will can help Krenko by exiling the top three cards of your library, potentially creating a large army of Goblins.

Synergies and Interactions

Jeska's Will has several interactions with other cards that can enhance its effects:

• Damping Sphere: A card that prevents all creatures from attacking if you control an enchantment. Jeska's Will can help Damping Sphere by adding {R} for each card in your opponent's hand, potentially creating a large army of creatures to attack.
• Eldrazi Disintegrator: A card that deals 5 damage to any target when it enters the battlefield or is cast. Jeska's Will can help Eldrazi Disintegrator by adding {R} for each card in your opponent's hand, potentially creating a large burst of damage.

In summary, Jeska's Will is a versatile card that offers two distinct effects, allowing players to choose between disrupting their opponents or manipulating their own library. By combining this card with the right commander and deck strategies, players can create powerful synergies and interactions that can turn the tide of battle in their favor.

Common Mistakes with Jeska's Will

When casting Jeska's Will, players often overlook the importance of timing and conditional clauses. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Failing to check for a commander: Players may assume they can choose both options (adding mana from their opponent's hand and drawing cards) without verifying if they control a commander. If no commander is on the field, only one option can be chosen.
• Miscalculating opponent's hand size: When choosing to add {R} for each card in the target opponent's hand, players may underestimate or overestimate their opponent's hand size. This can lead to either too little or too much mana added to their pool.
• Not considering the draw power of exiling top cards: Exiling three cards from the library may seem like a minor advantage, but it can be a significant benefit in certain situations, especially if those cards are powerful draw spells, such as Card Name: Serum Visions or Card Name: Opt.
• Ignoring potential interactions with other cards: Jeska's Will can interact with various cards and abilities in unexpected ways. For example, if the target opponent has a card that triggers an effect when their hand is reduced, choosing to add {R} from their hand may inadvertently trigger that effect.

To get the most out of Jeska's Will, players should carefully consider the game state, their commander, and potential interactions with other cards on the battlefield. By doing so, they can make informed decisions and maximize the card's impact on the game.

Jeska's Will

Card Type: Sorcery Mana Cost: {2}{R}

Flavor Text: A clever trick from the Izzet League to manipulate opponents' resources and gain an advantage.

Effects:

• Choose one:
  • Add {R} for each card in target opponent's hand.
  • Exile the top three cards of your library. You may play them this turn.
• If you control a commander as you cast this spell, you may choose both instead.

Strategy and Synergies:

Jeska's Will is an excellent tool for players who value card draw and resource management. When combined with a suitable commander, it can enable powerful combos and provide additional mana tokens to fuel your deck.

When facing aggressive decks, consider using Jeska's Will to drain opponents' hands and limit their ability to attack. In multicolor strategies, this card serves as a powerful combo enabler and mana accelerator.

Card Price: $22.96 (non-foil) / $25.40 (foil)

Rarity: Rare

Set: Commander Masters (CMR)

As Jeska's Will continues to gain popularity among players, its price may fluctuate based on demand and availability. Consider exploring alternative options like Mind Shatter or Cackling Counterpart for a more budget-friendly approach.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives:

• Mind Shatter: A rare sorcery from Scars of Mirrodin that allows you to destroy target creature and draw two cards.
• Cackling Counterpart: An uncommon sorcery from Modern Masters 2015 that lets you return target creature to its owner's hand and gain life equal to its power.

Tips for Using Jeska's Will:

1. Combine with a suitable commander: This card's true potential is unlocked when paired with a powerful commander.
2. Choose the right option: Select either adding mana tokens or playing exiled cards, depending on your deck's needs.
3. Maximize resource management: Use Jeska's Will to drain opponents' hands and limit their ability to attack.

Conclusion: Jeska's Will is a versatile card that offers two distinct options for manipulating opponents' resources and gaining an advantage. When paired with the right commander, it can enable powerful combos and provide additional mana tokens. Consider using this card in your next game to take your deck to the next level!

Building Around Jeska's Will

Jeska's Will is a versatile sorcery that can be built around in various Commander decks, leveraging its two distinct effects: adding red mana to your pool and drawing cards from the top of your library.

Red-Heavy Decks

This card naturally fits into red-heavy Commanders like Gorbag Warskyr, Kemba, Kha Regent, or Nicol Bolas. You can also consider pairing it with decks focused on red mana acceleration, such as those featuring Aurelia, the Warleader.

Combo Potential

Jeska's Will has significant combo potential when combined with cards like:

• Liliana of the Veil: Exile the top three cards and play them this turn to find a Liliana of the Veil, enabling you to cast her ultimate for a massive draw.
• Trostani's Summoner: Draw into your commander or key spells using Jeska's Will, then use Trostani's ability to bring it back into play.

Theme-Based Decks

Jeska's Will can be incorporated into theme-based decks that focus on:

1. Value and Mana Acceleration:
   • Include cards like Fervent Strike and Goblin Guide for additional value.
2. Mill and Card Advantage:
   • Use Jeska's Will to accelerate your draw and mill opponents, then follow up with spells that disrupt their hand and life total.

Notable Synergies

Some notable synergies and combos include:

• Playing Lightning Bolt or other burn spells after adding red mana from Jeska's Will.
• Combining Jeska's Will with Cromaddo Marshal, a commander who rewards you for exiling cards, to create an efficient draw engine.

These examples demonstrate the potential of building around Jeska's Will in various Commander decks.

Jeska's Will in Commander

Jeska's Will is a versatile sorcery that shines when played with a Commander. Its ability to add red mana for each card in an opponent's hand creates significant pressure and can be the difference-maker in competitive games. Paired with Jeska, Thirst for Knowledge (Commander), the spell gains additional flexibility.

Effect 1: Burn Opponent

Choosing the first option allows players to burn their opponents with a flurry of red mana. For example, if an opponent has a hand full of removal spells or other utility cards, Jeska's Will can quickly turn the tables in favor of the player casting it. This effect is particularly effective against decks that rely heavily on card draw and removal.

Effect 2: Card Advantage

The second option enables players to take three cards from the top of their library and play them immediately. This effect provides a significant boost to card advantage, allowing players to accelerate their mana development or respond quickly to opponent's moves. Jeska's Will can be especially valuable in combo decks that rely on specific card synergies.

Notable Interactions

• Jeska, Thirst for Knowledge (Commander): As mentioned earlier, pairing Jeska's Will with this Commander unlocks additional flexibility and makes the spell even more impactful.
• Krenko, Mob Boss (Commander): This deck can take advantage of Jeska's Will to generate a large quantity of red mana and swarm opponents.
• Boros Aggro Decks: Jeska's Will can be an excellent addition to these decks, providing a way to accelerate their burn plan.

Format Considerations

Jeska's Will is a competitive card in Commander but may not have the same level of impact in other formats. Its effect relies on having access to a commander and being able to generate red mana quickly. In more casual or constructed formats, players may overlook Jeska's Will due to its specific requirements.

Overall

Jeska's Will is a powerful sorcery that shines when played with a Commander. Its ability to add red mana for each card in an opponent's hand and take cards from the library provides significant pressure and card advantage. Players who can pair it with the right commander or deck will find Jeska's Will to be a valuable addition to their arsenal.

Key Scenarios & Matchups for Jeska's Will

Jeska's Will is a versatile sorcery that can have a significant impact on the game state, particularly in aggressive red decks. Its two modes allow it to either drain opponents' hands or gain card advantage through discarding.

Against Aggressive Decks

When facing aggressive decks like Goblin Guide or Monastery Swiftspear aggro, Jeska's Will excels as a means to disrupt their plans and deny them card draw. Targeting an opponent with a full hand can add 3-5 red mana tokens, significantly hindering their ability to attack.

• Example: A player controlling Goblin Guide with a full hand of four cards will have 4 R tokens added to their pool, making it difficult for them to generate additional mana.
• Counterplay: Opponents can use burn spells like Lightning Bolt or Fireball to eliminate aggressive creatures before Jeska's Will can be cast.

In Multicolor Strategies

Jeska's Will is often played in multicolor decks featuring a commander that allows for the choice of both options. In these cases, the card serves as a powerful combo enabler and mana accelerator:

• Example: A Krenko, Mob Boss deck can use Jeska's Will to add red mana tokens while also discarding three cards from the library.
• Synergy: The discarded cards can then be played immediately, creating an instant board presence with creatures like Searing Blaze or Burning Hands.

Against Control Decks

When facing control decks that rely on card draw and counterspells, Jeska's Will is less effective due to the reduced mana generation from a full hand. However, it can still serve as a means to disrupt their plans:

• Example: A player controlling a Wrenn and Six deck may use Jeska's Will to add red mana tokens while discarding three cards from the library.
• Counterplay: Opponents can use cards like Counterspell or Daze to eliminate Jeska's Will before it can resolve.

Overall, Jeska's Will is a versatile card that excels in aggressive and multicolor strategies, but struggles against control decks. Its impact on the game state depends heavily on the specific deck composition and playstyle.

Jeska's Will was printed in the Commander Masters set (CMR) as a rare card. The EDHREC stats show that it has an average price of around $15-$23 USD, depending on the format and rarity.

In terms of tournament presence, Jeska's Will is considered a mid-range card, meaning it sees moderate play but isn't extremely popular. According to EDHREC, its EDHrec Rank is 95, indicating that it appears in about 1-2% of decks.

Jeska's Will has been featured in several notable decks, including Golgari and Rakdos tribal decks, where its ability to add red mana for each card in the opponent's hand can be particularly effective. Its combination with cards like Golgari Findbroker or Rakdos Charm can create powerful synergies.

In terms of iconic decks, Jeska's Will has been used in several well-known Commander lists, including the "Jeska" deck archetype itself, which focuses on exploiting the opponent's hand size and library depth.

In the scorching expanse of Ravnica, where guilds vie for power and dominance, Jeska's Will stands as a testament to the cunning and ambition of the Izzet League. This rare sorcery, penned by the infamous mind mage Jeska, is a masterclass in manipulation and resource management.

As one delves into the world of Ravnica, it becomes apparent that Jeska's Will is deeply connected to the Guildpact, an ancient agreement between the city-state's guilds that maintains balance and prevents any single faction from dominating the others. Jeska, as a member of the Izzet League, would have been intimately familiar with this delicate dance of power.

The card itself presents two distinct options, each allowing the player to exert control over their opponents in different ways. When cast, the spell allows you to add red mana for each card in your opponent's hand, effectively draining their resources and limiting their ability to cast spells. This is reminiscent of the Izzet League's emphasis on intellectual superiority and manipulation.

However, when controlling a commander as you cast Jeska's Will, you gain access to both options, granting unparalleled flexibility in shaping the game's trajectory. The Izzet League's affinity for invention and innovation shines through in this card's dual nature, allowing players to adapt and respond to changing circumstances with ease.

In terms of flavor, Jeska's Will embodies the Izzet League's values of cunning and resourcefulness. By manipulating their opponents' resources and leveraging the unique benefits granted by a commander, players can outmaneuver their foes and gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield.