10 Reserved List Cards Under $10 for Commander

Commander (EDH) is one of Magic: The Gathering's most popular formats. In EDH, players build Commander decks with a wide range of themes, strategies, and competitiveness. Players enjoy brewing  decks with interesting mechanics and gameplay using cards across MTG's history.

The MTG Reserved List features a list of cards that Wizards of the Coast said they would not reprint again. This means that cards on the Reserved List have a finite print run. Reserved List cards played in EDH range in price from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. I recently wrote an article highlighting three inexpensive Reserved List cards with the potential for Competitive EDH play. While not all Reserved List cards are cEDH playable, there are many seeing play in EDH. This article identifies Reserved List cards under $10.00 that are playable in EDH decks. Some Reserved List cards have the potential to shine with synergistic commanders. 
​
Braingeyser 
Braingeyser has an advantage over similar MTG cards because it targets any player to draw X cards for two additional blue mana. Mind Spring has a similar effect and casting cost, but only works on the caster. Blue Sun's Zenith and Stroke of Genius are instant-speed spells that cost three additional mana. Braingeyser works well with the new Sultai commander Zaxara, the Exemplary. It also synergizes with Kruphix, God of Horizons, Mizzix of the Izmagnus, and The Locust God.
​
Opalescence 
If you ever wanted to turn all non-Aura enchantments into creatures, look no further than Opalescence. Opalescence saw competitive constructed play due to Replenish. While Opalescence is not widely played in EDH, it does work well with a few commanders like  Tuvasa the Sunlit, and Karametra, God of Harvests.

Karn, Silver Golem

Karn, Silver Golem
Karn, Silver Golem is an adored character in MTG's lore. The Urza's Saga version is the only creature spell for Karn. Decks want Karn because of its activated ability. A popular home for Karn is in Daretti, Scrap Savant. Additionally, Karn synergies well with Horobi, Death's Wail by turning artifacts into creatures for one mana. Who does not want to destroy each creature on the battlefield?
​
Great Whale
Great Whale is a similar card to Peregrine Drake and Palichron. Unfortunately, it does not have the reduced casting cost of Peregrine Drake or the ability of Palichron. The upside of the Great Whale is its creature type and enters the battlefield trigger. Players can earn bragging rights if they combo off with Great Whale instead of Peregrine Drake or Palichron. Great Whale is included in some large sea creature decks, Animar, Soul of Elements, and Maelstrom Wanderer. 

Peacekeeper
​Peacekeeper perfectly describes its ability to prevent creatures from attacking. This creature hinders other player's strategies for a small upkeep cost. It works well in decks with commanders like Angus Mackenzie, Gwafa Hazrid, Profiteer, and Gaddock Teeg. White combo decks like Selenia, Dark Angel, and Heliod, Sun-Crowned may want Peacekeeper to slow opponent's attacks.

Breathstealer's Crypt

Breathstealer's Crypt
Breathstealer's Crypt is a gold enchantment from Visions with a global effect. While life loss or discarding cards may not always occur, knowing what each player draws is helpful information. Liliana, Waker of the Dead from Core 2021 seems to synergize with Breathstealer's Crypt. Also, Breathstealer's Crypt synergies with the Grixis commander Nekusar, the Mindrazer. Other commanders like Sygg, River Cutthroat, and Taigam, Sidisi's Hand may want Breathstealer's Crypt.

Márton Stromgald
Márton Stromgald fits well in aggressive, go wide, creature decks. His creature types are human and knight according to Gatherer. While Márton may not be a goblin, he can increase the tribe's strength on the battlefield. Decks producing many creature tokens could include Márton. A few commanders that work well with Márton are Adriana, Captain of the Guard, Iroas, God of Victory, and Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin.     
 
Scorched Ruins
Scorched Ruins is a land that produces four colorless mana. It also requires two untapped lands sacrificed upon entering the battlefield. This drawback is similar to cards like Lotus Vale and Lotus Field. Scorched Ruins does come into play untapped unlike Lotus Field. The ideal home for Scorched Ruins is a commander deck taking advantage of colorless mana. Commanders like Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger, and Kozilek, the Great Distortion may want to include Scorched Ruins. Additionally, it synergizes well with a green commander named Titania, Protector of Argoth.

Retribution of the Meek

Retribution of the Meek
Retribution of the Meek is a three mana board wipe that checks the power of creatures. Citywide Bust has the same effect but instead looks at the toughness of creatures. Put Retribution of the Meek and Citywide Bust in the same deck for interesting reactions from other players. The partner commanders Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa // Tymna the Weaver may want Retribution of the Meek since many of the hatebear creatures have power under four. Retribution of the Meek slots in decks like Arcades, the Strategist, and Doran, the Siege Tower since they only care about creature toughness. 

Carrion
Carrion is a spell that creates multiple black insect creature tokens by sacrificing a creature. Carrion's card text was updated on Gatherer, so please do not go searching for maggot tokens. Insects produced by Carrion can reduce the casting cost of Torgaar, Famine Incarnate, and Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis. Carrion could also fit in aristocrat decks like Ayara, First of Locthwain, and Mazirek Kraul Death Priest.