Is EDH too expensive for you? Wanna play a fun deck that doesn't cost a fortune? Then allow me to introduce you to....Poor Man's EDH. For under $75 you can own a cool, powerful, and fun EDH deck that isn't too limited. Merieke Ri Berit is a $1 Rare that I've heard a bit about as a fun Commander. Her ability is bombastic and Esper as her colors just add to her playability in my opinion. Who doesn't want a Queen who steals your stuff with the bes control color combo? So I decided to make an Esper deck (which is normally beyond me) based around everything a Queen needs: powerful allies, manipulative strategy, and of course the best spies in the kingdom. I honestly hope you enjoy this deck, because making it was a lot of fun!
Legend tells of a Queen who once took control of four kingdoms within a month with the greatest of ease. The legend states that she just walked up to the King of the land and in moments he was wrapped around her finger, handing over all he possesed, the within a week he would die mysteriously. For years, you have searched for the land of this fabled ruler, and now you approach a castle that appears to be as old as time itself. As you walk up to the throne, you see a beautiful blonde woman in a majestic purple dress smiling at you. You need only ask her to join your cause, for she knows why you are here. Just like that, you have given the legendary Merieke Ri Berit the ability to travel across planes to take all she can find under her rule.....
Merieke is a commander that relies on strategy to win. Even though she has amazing power at her disposal, even she realizes that it takes a great mind to use that power properly. So of course, it all begins with a single step. For you, that step should be establishing personal safety. Your main mana source is lands, and in order to get enough on the board to get going, you need to play your early game cautiously. Cards like Render Silent and Authority of the Consuls are powerful but can make you a few enemies, so why not try cards like Skyscribing or Temple Bell to win your enemies over? Everyone likes drawing cards, so if you play the political game early you can manipulate your way into working Merieke's true goals to perfection with great ease. As soon as you get mana established, start setting up your strongest cards that your opponents won't even realize are key pieces of the plan. Thassa's Ire and Conjurer's Closet don't appear to threatening at first, so try to get them out. Then, when the time is right, bring the Queen to the battlefield and watch your opponents panic.
Merieke herself has an unbelievably powerful ability. Tap her and steal ANY creature as long as you control her. Not only does this give you a HUGE advatange by taking the best things for yourself, they won't be getting them back. Whenever Merieke untaps or leaves play, whatever is under her control is destroyed. To further support her abilities are a plethora of untap and bounce cards. Remember Thassa's Ire and Conjurer's Closet? Both can reset Merieke to untapped, meaning you can destroy a creature and take a new one! Even your creatures, like Tidal Force and Deadeye Navigator, help get Merieke's vicious control engine going, meaning you have plenty of ways to keep a firm grip on creatures on the board. If Merieke does get forced off the field by means of removal, don't worry, the board is still under your control as you hold a variety of wipes for it. With cards like Worldpurge and Supreme Verdict, you keep all problems to a minimum on the board, giving you plenty of time to re-establish Merieke's control engine. Even if Merieke doesn't work out, have no fear, because your bounce and untap strategies have some other targets they can heavily support. Sepulchral Primordial and Icefall Regent both love Conjurer's Closet allowing them to use their abilities plenty of times, while Dragonlord Ojutai and Fatestitcher certainly enjoy an untap. The best part is, Merieke isn't the only way to get yourself your own Lord of the Void or Avacyn, Angel of Hope your opponents may control. You can call upon the Queen's spies, Evil Twin and Vizier of Many Faces, to just become a copy of a creature. Is that too much of a hassle? Then let your opponents play right into your hands....literally. Mind's Dilation is a perplexing yet powerful enchantment, because after your opponents cast their first spell per turn, they exile the top card of their library, which you can cast for free! So the mighty Elesh Norn isn't even safe in their deck! Do your opponents have to many valuable lands? Herald of Leshrac steals them as part of a tax to keep him around, and only gets stronger for stealing lands!! With all these sinister plots, your opponents won't have a clue on what is a good idea to stop or not!
With all these resources at your disposal, victory is almost guaranteed. Just remember, the Esper color combo is all about control, and control is best played with patience and careful consideration. While you have many powerful answers to many problems, sometimes a holding onto those answers and letting someone else deal with a problem is a much wiser decision. In the end, just follow Merieke's advice and before you know it, all that you saw will be yours.