Art by Gintas Galvanauskas
Commander deckG
The Thing, Ben Grimm
Deploy Changeling creatures that count as Heroes to reliably trigger The Thing's counter ability on combat damage, while supercharging +1/+1 counters and trampling over opponents with massive green beaters.
Asked for“The Thing, Ben Grimm 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
1The Thing, Ben Grimm
5GLegendary Creature — Human Hero
Chosen commander for the requested strategy.
Ramp
11
Kami of Whispered Hopes
2GCreature — Spirit
Taps for large amounts of mana and amplifies +1/+1 counters
Card Draw
10
Beast Whisperer
2GGCreature — Elf Druid
Draws a card whenever a creature spell is cast
Toski, Bearer of Secrets
3GLegendary Creature — Squirrel
Rewards dealing combat damage to players with card draw
Return of the Wildspeaker
4GInstant
Instant-speed burst draw based on greatest power
Rishkar's Expertise
4GGSorcery
Draws cards equal to power and casts a spell for free
Greater Good
2GGEnchantment
Sacrifice outlet that converts high power into card draw
Inspiring Call
2GInstant
Draws cards for creatures with +1/+1 counters and grants indestructible
Realmwalker
2GCreature — Shapeshifter
Hero changeling that plays creatures off the top of the library
Removal
9
Kenrith's Transformation
1GEnchantment — Aura
Neutralizes problematic commanders and cantrips
Song of the Dryads
2GEnchantment — Aura
Turns any problematic permanent into a basic land
Ram Through
1GInstant
One-sided bite spell that carries excess damage to the player
Kogla, the Titan Ape
3GGGLegendary Creature — Ape
Fights on entry and shatters artifacts or enchantments on attack
Masked Vandal
1GCreature — Shapeshifter
Hero changeling that exiles an artifact or enchantment
Reclamation Sage
2GCreature — Elf Shaman
Destroys an artifact or enchantment on ETB
Threats/Wincons
23
Chameleon Colossus
2GGCreature — Shapeshifter
Hero changeling that pumps its power exponentially
Universal Automaton
1Artifact Creature — Shapeshifter
One-drop Hero changeling for early combat damage triggers
Woodland Changeling
1GCreature — Shapeshifter
Low-curve Hero changeling to trigger The Thing early
Game-Trail Changeling
3GGCreature — Shapeshifter
Trampling Hero changeling that pushes combat damage through
Hardened Scales
GEnchantment
Adds extra +1/+1 counters whenever counters are placed
Ozolith, the Shattered Spire
1GLegendary Artifact
Increases +1/+1 counter placement and can place counters itself
Kalonian Hydra
3GGCreature — Hydra
Doubles +1/+1 counters on all your attacking creatures
Managorger Hydra
2GCreature — Hydra
Grows rapidly with trample whenever spells are cast
Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider
4GGLegendary Creature — Phyrexian Praetor
Doubles counters placed on your permanents while halving opponents'
Surrak and Goreclaw
4GGLegendary Creature — Human Bear
Grants haste, trample, and puts counters on entering creatures
Forgotten Ancient
3GCreature — Elemental
Accumulates counters fast and redistributes them across your board
Defiler of Vigor
3GGCreature — Phyrexian Wurm
Provides mana discounts and distributes +1/+1 counters
Bristly Bill, Spine Sower
1GLegendary Creature — Plant Druid
Places counters on landfall and doubles all +1/+1 counters
Railway Brawler
3GGCreature — Rhino Warrior
Plots and doubles the power of subsequent entering creatures
Kodama of the West Tree
2GLegendary Creature — Spirit
Grants modified creatures trample and fetches lands on player damage
Vigor
3GGGCreature — Elemental Incarnation
Prevents combat damage to your creatures and converts it into counters
Cultivator Colossus
4GGGCreature — Plant Beast
Massive trampling body that chains land drops
Apex Devastator
8GGCreature — Chimera Hydra
Cascade powerhouse that floods the board with threats
Evolution Witness
2GCreature — Elf Shaman Mutant
Recurs key permanents whenever +1/+1 counters are placed
Renata, Called to the Hunt
2GGLegendary Enchantment Creature — Demigod
Ensures every entering creature starts with a +1/+1 counter
Utility
9
The Ozolith
1Legendary Artifact
Preserves +1/+1 counters when creatures leave the battlefield
Lightning Greaves
2Artifact — Equipment
Gives haste and protection from targeted removal
Swiftfoot Boots
2Artifact — Equipment
Grants hexproof and haste while allowing targeted buffs
Heroic Intervention
1GInstant
Protects your entire board with hexproof and indestructible
Tamiyo's Safekeeping
GInstant
Single-target protection granting hexproof and indestructible
Tyvar's Stand
XGInstant
Flexible protection spell that can double as a lethal pump spell
Concordant Crossroads
GWorld Enchantment
Gives your large threats immediate haste to attack
Silkguard
XGInstant
Protects all modified creatures and puts +1/+1 counters on them
Legolas's Quick Reflexes
GInstant
Grants hexproof, untaps a creature, and deals damage to opposing threats
