MTGNexus

I recently build this deck. It is a populate deck but based on the idea that I play creatures I want to play instead of all kinds of mediocre token making cards. I then copy these creatures (or the creatures themselves create tokens) and then use the value I can accrue by populating the tokens to win. It contains cards like Dauntless Escort for layers of boardwipe protection, Daring Apprentice for a counterwall etc.

What I've found so far is that once it get's going it gets going. But I also found that the balance between making copies of creatures and creatures themselves requires some finetuning. Additionally, and this is the most pressing issue, it needs some more card draw especially of the low mana value variety and interaction. The deck is very midrangy with most cards costing 3 or 4. That is why I play 13 ramp cards besides 39 lands. Getting to 6 mana asap i crucial because it will allow me to usually play 2 cards per turn. Or play Kodama of the East Tree which is an acceleration engine without equal.

Because neither of your commanders generate card advantage, you need more in your deck in my opinion, which you've also aknowledged. Thankfully in these colors you have LOTS of options, so you just have to find the ones that have the most synergy with the other cards you want to run.

Here are a few suggestions:

Garruk's Uprising
Hunter's Insight
Rishkar's Expertise
Esper Sentinel
Return of the Wildspeaker
Insight Compost - meta dependant
Toski, Bearer of Secrets
Ohran Frostfang
Augur of Autumn
Tatyova, Benthic Druid
Nezahal, Primal Tide
Consecrated Sphinx


Kodama of the East Tree is a fantastic commander effect but he definitely needs fuel for that ability to keep getting mileage.


I think you can drop a couple lands for more cheap ramp spells.

Chipping in with the context of your other thread:

As you've noted, the deck definitely lacks card draw... and given how card-hungry Kodama of the East Tree is, you'll want to keep your hand as full as possible. Some options that haven't already been noted: As for dealing with interaction / removal... unfortunately, targeted clone effects like Spitting Image and Rite of Replication are pretty soft to interaction. However, there are ways to deal with that - you could run more countermagic or other instant-speed protection, or protection effects like Asceticism or Privileged Position to deal with spot removal. If you're more concerned about mass removal, token-producing permanents like Dollhouse of Horrors, Minion Reflector, or God-Pharaoh's Gift can give you creatures without dying to board wipes themselves.

Also: while your focus may be on creating token copies of creatures to populate, it may be worth running cards like Court of Grace or Awakening Zone that can make sure you always have at least something to populate.

I'll also call out are Phantom Steed, Esika's Chariot, and Vizier of Many Faces as several cards that look like they would be good inclusions in your deck.