ICommander 2020 Deck: Ruthless Regiment - Full Guide

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Ruthless Regiment Commander 2020 deck. This deck is all about overwhelming your opponents with a horde of creatures, specifically focusing on the ever-growing and hard-hitting potential of the Abzan colors (white, black, and green). If you're looking to swarm the battlefield and crush your enemies underfoot, then you've come to the right place. We'll break down the key strategies, highlight the standout cards, and offer some upgrade suggestions to take your Ruthless Regiment deck to the next level. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

Understanding the Core Strategy

The Ruthless Regiment deck, at its heart, is a go-wide strategy, meaning it aims to create a large number of creatures. But it's not just about quantity; it's about quality too. The deck leverages the Abzan colors to generate tokens, buff those tokens, and disrupt your opponents' plans. A key element of this strategy is the concept of +1/+1 counters. Many cards in the deck either produce creatures with +1/+1 counters already on them or provide ways to distribute counters to your existing creatures. This allows you to quickly build a formidable army of increasingly powerful threats.

Think of it like this: you're not just throwing bodies at the problem; you're throwing buffed, beefy bodies that can actually take a punch and dish one out in return. This makes the deck surprisingly resilient and capable of recovering from board wipes or targeted removal. Furthermore, the Abzan colors offer a suite of removal spells and disruptive effects that allow you to control the board and protect your growing army. This combination of offensive power and defensive capabilities makes the Ruthless Regiment deck a force to be reckoned with.

The go-wide strategy is not without its weaknesses, of course. Board wipes can be devastating, and decks that can generate even more creatures than you can pose a significant threat. However, the Ruthless Regiment deck is well-equipped to handle these challenges. Cards that protect your creatures from board wipes or that allow you to rebuild quickly after one are crucial. Similarly, having ways to disrupt your opponents' strategies, such as counterspells or removal spells, can help you stay ahead in the race to build the biggest army. Overall, the Ruthless Regiment deck offers a rewarding and engaging play experience for players who enjoy creature-based strategies and the power of the Abzan colors.

Key Cards and Commanders

Let's take a look at some of the standout cards and the commanders that make the Ruthless Regiment deck tick. These cards are the engine that drives the deck's strategy, and understanding how they work together is essential for piloting the deck effectively. We'll focus on the original commander and some other strong contenders you might consider.

Kathril, Aspect Warper: Kathril is the face commander of the deck, and it perfectly embodies the +1/+1 counter theme. When Kathril enters the battlefield, you put a number of different counter types on it equal to the abilities that your creatures in your graveyard have. This can quickly turn Kathril into a massive threat, with keywords like flying, deathtouch, and lifelink making it incredibly difficult to deal with. The key to maximizing Kathril's potential is to fill your graveyard with creatures that have a variety of keywords. This can be done through self-milling effects, sacrifice outlets, or simply by playing creatures that are likely to die in combat. Kathril represents a powerful option for the deck. The key to victory with Kathril is effective graveyard management and strategic creature selection.
Ghoulcaller Gisa: While not the face commander, Ghoulcaller Gisa is a powerhouse in this deck. She allows you to sacrifice a creature to create X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens, where X is the sacrificed creature's power. This can be an excellent way to turn a single large creature into a swarm of zombies, overwhelming your opponents with sheer numbers. Given this deck's focus on creating and buffing creatures, Gisa provides an excellent alternative commander choice, especially since the created zombies can then be further buffed by other cards in the deck.
Abzan Falconer: This unassuming creature is a key enabler for the deck's strategy. Abzan Falconer grants flying to all your creatures with +1/+1 counters on them. This can quickly turn your entire army into a flying menace, allowing you to bypass ground-based defenses and attack your opponents directly. In a format dominated by ground creatures, the ability to grant flying to your entire army is incredibly powerful, and Abzan Falconer makes it a staple of the Ruthless Regiment deck.
Beast Whisperer: Beast Whisperer provides invaluable card draw in a creature-heavy deck like Ruthless Regiment. Whenever you cast a creature spell, you draw a card. This helps you maintain card advantage and ensures that you always have a steady stream of creatures to play. Card draw is crucial for any Commander deck, and Beast Whisperer provides it in a way that synergizes perfectly with the deck's strategy.
Forgotten Ancient: This creature is a counter-moving engine, allowing you to distribute +1/+1 counters from itself to other creatures you control. Whenever a player casts a spell, Forgotten Ancient gets a +1/+1 counter. Then, at the beginning of your upkeep, you can move any number of counters from Forgotten Ancient to other creatures you control. This allows you to quickly grow your creatures and spread the love around the battlefield. It's a versatile and powerful card that can help you adapt to different board states.

These are just a few of the key cards in the Ruthless Regiment deck. By understanding how these cards work and how they interact with each other, you can unlock the full potential of the deck and dominate your opponents.

Upgrading Your Ruthless Regiment Deck

While the Ruthless Regiment deck is strong out of the box, there's always room for improvement. Here are some upgrade suggestions to take your deck to the next level:

More Card Draw: As mentioned earlier, card draw is essential for any Commander deck. Consider adding cards like Harmonize, Rishkar's Expertise, or Beast Whisperer (if you don't already have it) to ensure that you always have a hand full of cards to play. Consistent card draw helps you maintain momentum and outpace your opponents.
Better Removal: While the deck does include some removal spells, upgrading your removal suite can significantly improve your ability to control the board. Consider adding cards like Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, or Generous Gift for efficient and versatile removal options. Flexible removal answers a wider range of threats, increasing the deck's overall resilience.
Board Wipe Protection: Board wipes can be devastating for a creature-heavy deck like Ruthless Regiment. Adding cards that protect your creatures from board wipes, such as Teferi's Protection, Wrap in Vigor, or Eerie Interlude, can help you recover quickly after a board wipe and maintain your advantage. Safeguarding your board presence ensures you're not completely set back by common removal tactics.
Token Doublers: Since the deck is focused on creating tokens, adding cards that double the number of tokens you create can be incredibly powerful. Consider adding cards like Parallel Lives, Anointed Procession, or Doubling Season to supercharge your token generation. Doubling your token output can quickly overwhelm your opponents and secure your victory.
More +1/+1 Counter Synergies: Lean further into the +1/+1 counter theme by adding cards like Hardened Scales, Winding Constrictor, or Gavony Township. These cards will further enhance your creatures' power and toughness, making them even more formidable threats. Amplifying the power of your +1/+1 counter synergies creates a snowball effect, rapidly increasing the threat level of your board.

Sample Decklist Upgrade

Here's an example of how you might upgrade the Ruthless Regiment deck, including some of the cards mentioned above. This is just a starting point, of course, and you can customize it to your own preferences and budget.

Out:

[List of cards to remove]

In:

[List of cards to add]

This is just a small example of how you can upgrade the Ruthless Regiment deck. By focusing on card draw, removal, board wipe protection, token doublers, and +1/+1 counter synergies, you can significantly improve the deck's power and consistency.

Tips and Tricks for Playing the Deck

Finally, here are some tips and tricks for playing the Ruthless Regiment deck effectively:

Prioritize Card Draw: Always be looking for opportunities to draw cards. The more cards you have in hand, the more options you have and the more likely you are to find the cards you need.
Be Aggressive: The Ruthless Regiment deck is at its best when it's on the offensive. Don't be afraid to attack early and often, putting pressure on your opponents and forcing them to react to your threats.
Protect Your Creatures: Board wipes are your biggest weakness. Always be aware of the possibility of a board wipe and try to protect your creatures with cards like Teferi's Protection or Wrap in Vigor.
Don't Overextend: While it's important to be aggressive, it's also important not to overextend. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your threats out and try to have a backup plan in case your initial attack is thwarted.
Adapt to Your Opponents: The Ruthless Regiment deck is versatile enough to adapt to different playstyles. Pay attention to what your opponents are doing and adjust your strategy accordingly. If they're playing a control deck, focus on card draw and protecting your creatures. If they're playing an aggro deck, focus on removal and building a bigger army than they have.

Conclusion

The Ruthless Regiment Commander 2020 deck is a powerful and engaging deck that offers a rewarding play experience for players who enjoy creature-based strategies and the power of the Abzan colors. By understanding the core strategy, leveraging the key cards, and upgrading the deck with smart choices, you can crush your opponents and reign supreme on the battlefield. So, grab your deck, gather your friends, and get ready to unleash the Ruthless Regiment! Good luck, have fun, and happy gaming, guys!