Art by Tyler Walpole
Commander deckGU
Hakbal of the Surging Soul
Amass an army of Merfolk that repeatedly explores to dig through the library, cheat lands onto the battlefield, and grow massive with +1/+1 counters to overwhelm opponents.
Asked for“Hakbal of the Surging Soul commander deck”
Deck anatomy
What this list actually runs on: how cheaply it casts things, and whether it has enough ramp, card draw and interaction to keep up at the table. Each block is one card — hover for its name.
Mana curve · 62 nonland cards
The working parts
Counted from Scryfall’s community card tags, not from the builder’s own labels. A card that does two jobs counts twice, so these add up to more than the deck. The hatched band is a common rule of thumb, not a law — combo decks run leaner, battlecruiser decks heavier.
Colored mana symbols
Commander
1Hakbal of the Surging Soul
2GULegendary Creature — Merfolk Scout
Chosen commander for the requested strategy.
Ramp
9
Card Draw
8
Beast Whisperer
2GGCreature — Elf Druid
draws cards whenever creature spells are cast
Benthic Biomancer
UCreature — Merfolk Wizard Mutant
loots cards whenever it receives counters
Danny Pink
3ULegendary Creature — Human Soldier Advisor
draws whenever counters are placed on creatures
Rishkar's Expertise
4GGSorcery
massive draw based on grown Merfolk and a free spell
Inspiring Call
2GInstant
burst card draw and board protection for modified creatures
Deeproot Historian
3GCreature — Merfolk Druid
gives Merfolk in graveyard retrace for recurring value
Removal
10
Kenrith's Transformation
1GEnchantment — Aura
neutralizes commanders while replacing itself
Threats/Wincons
28
Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca
1GULegendary Creature — Merfolk Shaman
tap-activated card draw, unblockable threat, and team buff
Master of the Pearl Trident
UUCreature — Merfolk
classic Merfolk lord granting buffs and islandwalk
Merfolk Sovereign
1UUCreature — Merfolk Noble
buffs Merfolk and grants unblockable attacks
Merrow Reejerey
2UCreature — Merfolk Soldier
tribal lord that untaps lands or taps opposing blockers
Kopala, Warden of Waves
1UULegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
taxes opponent removal targeting Merfolk
Svyelun of Sea and Sky
1UULegendary Creature — Merfolk God
provides ward, card draw, and indestructible protection
Vodalian Hexcatcher
1UCreature — Merfolk Wizard
flash lord that turns extra Merfolk into counterspells
Tishana's Tidebinder
2UCreature — Merfolk Wizard
flash Merfolk that counters abilities and strips text
Deeproot Elite
1GCreature — Merfolk Warrior
spreads +1/+1 counters as Merfolk enter
Emperor Mihail II
1UULegendary Creature — Merfolk Noble
lets you cast Merfolk from top of library and creates tokens
Zegana, Utopian Speaker
2GULegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
gives trample to modified creatures and adds counters
Herald of Secret Streams
3UCreature — Merfolk Warrior
makes creatures with +1/+1 counters unblockable
Ozolith, the Shattered Spire
1GLegendary Artifact
increases counter production and acts as a counter pump
Nicanzil, Current Conductor
GULegendary Creature — Merfolk Scout
ramps additional lands and grows whenever an explore happens
Topography Tracker
2GCreature — Merfolk Scout
causes every explore trigger to explore twice
Singer of Swift Rivers
1GUCreature — Merfolk Shaman
flash lord granting flash to all creature spells
Mist Dancer
4UCreature — Merfolk Wizard
gives team flying whenever creatures with counters attack
Forerunner of the Heralds
3GCreature — Merfolk Scout
tutors key Merfolk and grows as they enter
Thieving Skydiver
1UCreature — Merfolk Rogue
steals opposing Sol Rings and mana artifacts
Cenote Scout
GCreature — Merfolk Scout
one-drop Merfolk that immediately explores
Jadelight Ranger
1GGCreature — Merfolk Scout Ranger
explores twice upon entering to filter cards and grow
Deepfathom Echo
2GUCreature — Merfolk Spirit
explores each turn and copies powerful Merfolk abilities
Utility
7
Ripples of Potential
1UInstant
phases out modified creatures to evade all removal
Lightning Greaves
2Artifact — Equipment
gives commander haste and shroud immediately
The Ozolith
1Legendary Artifact
saves +1/+1 counters when exploring creatures die
Roaming Throne
4Artifact Creature — Golem
doubles all triggered abilities of Merfolk
Simic Ascendancy
GUEnchantment
alternate win condition powered by explore counters
