MTG Commander: Killian, Decisive Mentor – Aura and Goad Guide

TL;DR

• Killian, Decisive Mentor is a white-black (Orzhov) commander from Secrets of Strixhaven Commander, costing {1}{W}{B}, 2/3.
• Every enchantment that enters under your control lets you tap and goad an opposing creature.
• Whenever creatures enchanted by one of your Auras attack, you draw a card.
• The deck runs on cheap Auras and enchantments: they build an attacker, keep opponents busy and provide card advantage.

Killian is a commander for anyone who likes playing Auras without relying on a single huge creature. Instead of only making his creatures bigger, he uses enchantments to make opponents fight each other and draws cards whenever enchanted creatures attack.

What Killian does

Goad means the creature must attack during its controller's next turn, and attack a player other than you if able. Because it is also tapped, it cannot block either. Every enchantment becomes a small disruption against your opponents.

The strategy

• Lots of cheap enchantments: Every enchantment triggers Killian's goad. The more you run, the more often you clear opposing blockers out of the way.
• Auras on your own attackers: An enchanted creature that attacks draws you a card. One or two well-protected attackers are enough.
• Table politics: Goaded creatures attack other players. This weakens your opponents against each other while you build up your resources.

Card ideas for Killian

The following white-black cards fit Killian's plan. Check the current ban list and prices before building.

Auras that make an attacker strong

• Ethereal Armor: +1/+1 for each enchantment you control, plus first strike.
• All That Glitters: +1/+1 for each artifact and enchantment you control.
• Daybreak Coronet: Only on a creature that already has another Aura. +3/+3, first strike, vigilance and lifelink.
• Spirit Mantle and Unquestionable Authority: Protection from creatures, so your attacker cannot be blocked.

Card advantage

• Sram, Senior Edificer and Mesa Enchantress: draw cards when you cast Auras or enchantments.
• Black Market Connections: flexible card advantage in exchange for life.

Interaction

• Pacifism and Dead Weight: Auras as removal that also trigger Killian's goad.
• Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile and Grasp of Darkness: efficient instant-speed removal.

Protection

• Flickerform: Saves the enchanted creature from removal by briefly exiling it and returning it.
• Lightning Greaves and Swiftfoot Boots: Classic equipment that protects your commander from targeted removal.

Play tips

1. Put Auras on creatures you can attack with safely. Every attack with an enchanted creature is a card.
2. Cast enchantments when goad has the biggest effect, for example before an opponent's turn when you want to send their best creature at another player.
3. Do not spread your Auras too thin, or a board wipe will cost you too many cards at once.

Conclusion

Killian, Decisive Mentor rewards every enchantment with control over combat and every attack with a card. If you like Auras and enjoy deciding who attacks whom, he is an exciting Orzhov commander. You will find matching products in our Magic booster displays, and for your cards our accessories.