Kumano, Master Yamabushi

Kumano is a red pinball machine that converts damage into value. His repeatable ping ability combined with his exile clause creates a unique engine: you ping creatures until they're weak, then finish them off while simultaneously exiling them to dodge graveyard strategies. This works especially well in multiplayer where you can spread damage around and pick off threats at your leisure. The deck wants to maximize Kumano's damage output and ensure you're always dealing with creatures—either by forcing combat, running other damage sources, or using sacrifice outlets to turn your own creatures into triggers.

Your primary win is dealing 21 commander damage or just grinding out the table with repeated pings and creature removal. Because Kumano threatens to exile any creature you damage, opponents have to respect him even when he looks small. Pair him with cards that deal damage, create fodder for sacrifice, or grant him evasion so he actually connects in combat. Red's token generators and sacrifice synergies are your best friends here—make bodies, ping with them, and cash them in for value.

Strategy generated by Tapped Decks AI. Not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast.