Alania, Divergent Storm is a recently released Izzet Commander hailing from the animal-inhabited realm of Bloomburrow. This card has the ability to greatly enhance both spell-based strategies and decks centered around Bloomburrow’s Otter inhabitants.
On this plane, Bloomburrow boasts a diverse array of animal factions, each possessing a unique identity that makes them ideal for drafting. In particular, the Otters on this plane possess exceptional magic abilities.
Alania, Divergent Storm grants you the power to replicate spells and increase the number of Otters on the battlefield. With the ability to deal damage through Instant and Sorcery spells, Alania excels at embodying the strengths of traditional Izzet strategies.
With a casting cost of 3UR, this card has a power/toughness of 3/5. Alania’s decent toughness allows her to effectively block when necessary, but without a spell-based combat booster like Prowess, she is better suited as an engine piece rather than an aggressive attacker.
Alania, Divergent Storm is an excellent new Izzet Commander
Alania has the ability to double the value of the first Instant, Sorcery, or Otter Creature you cast each turn. Unlike other copy-based Commanders such as Anhelo, the Painter, Alania can trigger this effect multiple times in a single turn.
Whenever you play any Instant, Sorcery, or non-Alania Otter as your first spell each turn, this Commander has the ability to make a target opponent draw a card. If you decide to activate this ability, you may also create a copy of the original spell and select new targets for it.
Alania provides you with the opportunity to maximize your resources on both your and your opponents’ turns. The added benefits of card draw may even dissuade opponents from severing their alliance with you until you are prepared to secure victory with a potent spellslinging turn.
Despite the seemingly unusual pairing, Adorable Otters and powerful sorcery fit together perfectly in this archetype, drawing inspiration from a notorious Otter card found on the plane of Ikoria.
As a result of its Companion mechanic and the ability to amplify already powerful spells, Lutri, the Spellchaser was banned in an emergency decision.
The Otters of Bloomburrow, who are skilled in casting spells, are an obvious tribute to Lutri. However, unlike in Commander, this archetype is not a necessary addition, yet it remains powerful.
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