"Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun: Because Your Opponents Need to Learn to Wait."

 "Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun: Because Your Opponents Need to Learn to Wait."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr. MD

There are many ways to annoy your opponents in Commander. You can destroy their lands, counter their spells, or play a stax deck and slowly convince everyone at the table that perhaps board games were a mistake.

Or you can play Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun.

For just two mana, this legendary Human Wizard gives your instant and sorcery spells split second. Yes, split second! That lovely little ability that tells your opponents they can stop reaching for their counterspells because, for once, they don't get to interrupt everything you do.

Imagine casting a game-changing instant or sorcery while the blue player sits there with three untapped Islands and a hand full of answers. Normally, that player is practically vibrating with anticipation, ready to announce, "In response!"

With Samut around, that response may have to remain an unfulfilled dream.

Of course, there is a catch. Samut is a 2/1 creature, which means she is about as durable as a wet paper bag in a thunderstorm. She costs only two mana, though, so you can deploy her early and start enjoying the benefits before your opponents have established their defenses.

In EDH, where a single well-timed spell can turn an entire game around, making your instants and sorceries harder to interact with is a serious advantage. Your board wipes become more reliable, your removal spells become harder to stop, and your carefully planned combos have a better chance of resolving.

Just remember that split second doesn't make your spells completely unstoppable. Players can still use certain abilities and take special actions, and Samut herself doesn't protect your spells from everything. Also, her ability only works while she's on the battlefield, so keep that fragile little Wizard alive!

Still, for two mana, she offers a delicious headache for anyone who believes that holding up five counterspells makes them the sheriff of the table.

Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun reminds us that sometimes the strongest interaction is making sure your opponents don't get to interact with you.

And if somebody complains that your spells are unfair?

Tell them to slow their pulse.

Samut certainly has.