If you read this newsletter, you’re probably a commander player. You probably keep your head out of Standard, Modern, and other 60-card formats. So you probably haven’t heard of:

DA CUTTER

(Yeah, that’s right, I’ve been working on my newsletter-making game. I can now place Scryfall descriptions directly into the newsletter. Witness me!)

Cori-Steel Cutter has been another addition to the red powerhouse in constructed 60-card formats, specifically those that use the many cards that Prowess powers, Pseudo-Prowess (looking at you, Slickshot Showoff), and the powerful Mice-based Valiant synergies. Emberheart Challenger is the most emblematic card to show off what cards work best in Standard.

Emberheart Challenger also demonstrates why Da Cutter is so powerful. Cori-Steel Cutter triggers off the second spell you cast on every turn. In 2-player formats, this means that smart plays can generate attackers or blockers whenever they’re needed. When paired with Emberheart Challenger, it also creates card advantage on your turn, and Emberheart’s prowess triggering off non-creatures like Da Cutter means even when you generate a monk, it might still be worth it to keep the Challenger equipped.

In Commander, Challenger is outpaced at higher levels, but Cori-Steel is impressive even at higher levels. I don’t know if it’s at CEDH level, but being able to generate an attacker every turn, meaning four creatures in a cycle, to swing on opponents is lovely. The price, unfortunately, is pretty exclusive, but if you pull it in Tarkir Dragonstorm, I highly recommend it in any red deck that can run it.