What a good boy

Hey fellow Planeswalkers! I've been having an absolute blast (and making some enemies, let's be real) running my latest MTG Commander creation, which I affectionately call my 'Sarulf, Realm Eater War Crimes' deck. If you're like me and love pushing the boundaries of what's "fair" in Commander, then you're in for a treat with this build centered around our favorite 'good boy' puppy, Sarulf. My goal with this deck is simple: control the board, dismantle opponents' resources, and win with a massive, unstoppable Sarulf. Sarulf, Realm Eater is such an interesting commander because it grows every time a permanent an opponent owns leaves the battlefield, and it can exile cards from graveyards. This ability makes it perfect for a board-wipe heavy strategy. When I first brewed this, I knew I wanted to lean into the chaos. The absolute centerpiece of this 'war crimes' strategy is Worldslayer. Oh, Worldslayer, how I love thee! Equipping Worldslayer to Sarulf and connecting for combat damage is pure poetry. When that happens, all other permanents (yes, lands too!) are destroyed. Since Sarulf is a creature, and Worldslayer is an equipment, Sarulf survives the wipe. Even better, all those permanents hitting the graveyard trigger Sarulf's ability, making it even bigger for subsequent attacks. I've had games where Sarulf becomes a 20/20 or larger after just one Worldslayer activation – it's incredibly satisfying! Of course, getting to that point requires some setup and protection. I always try to include cards like Tamiyo's Safekeeping to ensure Sarulf survives key moments or to protect it from targeted removal while I'm setting up. Nothing feels worse than having your pet 'war criminal' sniped before it can do its dirty work! For consistency, having tutors is crucial. Vampiric Tutor is a personal favorite for digging up Worldslayer or a crucial protection spell exactly when I need it. It’s all about finding those key pieces quickly. Beyond the Worldslayer combo, I also pack in other disruptive elements. Mwonvuli Acid-Moss is fantastic for hitting an opponent's key land while simultaneously ramping myself. It’s a subtle way to put someone behind without drawing too much immediate aggro, paving the way for larger disruptions. And for for those really grindy games, putting down something like The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale (or even a proxy if you’re like me and don’t have one!) can just shut down creature-heavy strategies. Making opponents pay for their dorks feels incredibly cheeky and fits the 'war crimes' theme perfectly. Sometimes, the game doesn't go according to plan, or you need a faster win. I've experimented with including the Witherbloom Apprentice and Chain of Smog combo as a backup, though it's not the primary focus. It's a quick, unexpected win if you can assemble it, adding another layer of "isn't this fun?" to the deck. Playing this deck requires a bit of finesse. You'll often become the archenemy, so knowing when to pull the trigger on Worldslayer is key. Don't be afraid to let a few turns pass while you build up your board and defenses. And when you do unleash Sarulf, enjoy the groans! It's all part of the game, right? I'd love to hear about your own 'war criminal' commanders – drop a comment with your favorite disruptive commander, and let's see who the next good boy (or girl!) will be!