
Explorers of the Deep
Hakbal of the Surging Soul
Art by Tyler Walpole, © Wizards of the Coast.
How it compares
Human tables
Real-game win rate
24.0%474 stock gamesPlaygroup.gg, fetched 20 Oct 2026.
About real-game results
Normalised to four players; pilots and opponents differ from the simulation. This is observed evidence, not a personal win-rate forecast.
Phase simulation
Model win rate
24.2%157 games / #82Check limitationsAnalysed 24 Oct 2026Result details & limitations
90% bootstrap interval. Field: 174 stock precons in four-player pods.
90% interval: 20.9%–27.8%.
Rank range 50–125. Observed wins: 24.2%.
Simulation limitations
- The analysis flags engine/AI limitations or disagreement with real games for this deck.
Upgradeability
Package ungraded0/9 configurations graded. Unassessed options may be stronger.Package coverage
9 colour-compatible in-box commander configurations inventoried 2026-10-28. 9 have validated simulation lists. Inventory complete for the checked stock list.
This package includes every inventoried stock-compatible commander configuration. Highest supported upgrade grade describes the named assessed options, not overall deck power or a proven best commander. Unassessed options may be stronger. Outside commander swaps are excluded from the package summary.
Other included legends
These cannot lead the complete unchanged stock pool with a checked configuration: Emperor Mihail II, Kopala, Warden of Waves, Svyelun of Sea and Sky, Thassa, God of the Sea.
Hakbal of the Surging Soul: Ungraded
Download Hakbal of the Surging Soul comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. Any stock results elsewhere on this page belong to the reference catalog snapshot, not to alternative commander lists.
UngradedNo source-backed upgrade assessment is recorded for this stock commander and theme.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Audited 2026-10-27. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Hakbal of the Surging Soul.
What 1–5 means
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1: Minimal | Individual replacements do little for the main plan; its limiting mechanism remains. |
| 2: Narrow | Useful replacements exist, but a commander or theme restriction blocks most further gains. |
| 3: Workable | A documented package improves the plan, with a persistent setup, combat or card-pool limit. |
| 4: Broad | Several compatible packages improve the plan and its finish; important restrictions still apply. |
| 5: Exceptional | The commander supplies repeatable resources and a direct finish; on-theme additions strengthen both. |
These are Yama’s ordinal judgments, with no measured win-rate gain attached. A grade belongs to the stated commander configuration and retained main theme. Assess on-theme commander swaps separately; a replacement strategy is a separate deck build. Missing evidence means ungraded. Targeted changes refine the main package; Moderate replaces several packages; Substantial removes much of the shell. Effort describes work, not a budget or Commander bracket.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Hakbal of the Surging Soul: 30.5% raw wins (4,197 / 13,779 games). Fetched 27 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Other commander options
Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca: 27.4% raw wins (305 / 1,115 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Nicanzil, Current Conductor: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Nicanzil, Current Conductor comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Nicanzil, Current Conductor.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Nicanzil, Current Conductor: 21.0% raw wins (37 / 176 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Prime Speaker Zegana: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Prime Speaker Zegana comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Prime Speaker Zegana.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Prime Speaker Zegana: 37.6% raw wins (112 / 298 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Tatyova, Benthic Druid: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Tatyova, Benthic Druid comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Tatyova, Benthic Druid.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Tatyova, Benthic Druid: 37.0% raw wins (671 / 1,816 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Tishana, Voice of Thunder: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Tishana, Voice of Thunder comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Tishana, Voice of Thunder.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Tishana, Voice of Thunder: 22.9% raw wins (28 / 122 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Vorel of the Hull Clade: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Vorel of the Hull Clade comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Vorel of the Hull Clade.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Vorel of the Hull Clade: 25.6% raw wins (95 / 371 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood: 23.3% raw wins (99 / 425 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Zegana, Utopian Speaker: Ungraded
Alternative commander from the box. Stock results elsewhere on this page do not describe this alternative list.
Download Zegana, Utopian Speaker comparison list. 100/100 card copies retained. Legality and colours checked 2026-10-28. No matched simulation results are attached to this commander option.
UngradedIncluded commander option: leadership and colour compatibility checked. Theme fit and upgrade potential have not been assessed; no grade or simulation result is assigned.
Yama's editorial judgment of improvement options for the stated commander configuration while retaining the precon’s main theme. Based on the cited guides, checked card examples and commander restrictions. No upgrade win-rate estimate is available. Catalog list.
Commander rules: Zegana, Utopian Speaker.
Reviews and upgrade guides
No review or upgrade guide has been assessed for this list.
Commander results
Playgroup commander results include stock and modified lists, mixed pod sizes and opponents. The raw rate is wins divided by games, not four-player normalised. Partner commanders are separate observations, not a pair's rate. Do not subtract a stock-precon rate to estimate upgrade gain.
- Zegana, Utopian Speaker: 24.7% raw wins (37 / 150 games). Fetched 28 Oct 2026. API observation.
Playgroup.gg / Arcane Digital B.V., aggregate statistics under CC BY 4.0. Source refresh dates are not provided by this endpoint.
Market references
What it costs
Sealed deck
$94.13TCGplayer / TCGCSV26 Oct 2026Singles replacement
$73.94TCGplayer / Scryfall28 Oct 2026100 priced copies; 0 without a price.
About market prices
Market references are not store quotes, proof of availability or resale offers. Singles estimate the cost of replacing the list, rather than what you could sell it for.
The original 100 cards
Stock decklist
Catalog updated 22 Oct 2026. MTGJSON source. Images and card details from Scryfall.
Commander 1
Main deck 99
1 AetherizeInstant
1 Alchemist's RefugeLand
1 Arcane SignetArtifact
1 Beast WithinInstant
1 Benthic BiomancerCreature — Merfolk Wizard Mutant
1 Branching EvolutionEnchantment
1 Bygone MarvelsSorcery
1 Cold-Eyed SelkieCreature — Merfolk Rogue
1 Command TowerLand
1 Commander's SphereArtifact
1 CommitInstant // Sorcery
1 Coralhelm CommanderCreature — Merfolk Soldier
1 Curse of the SwineSorcery
1 Deeproot EliteCreature — Merfolk Warrior
1 Deeproot HistorianCreature — Merfolk Druid
1 Deeproot WatersEnchantment
1 Emperor Mihail IILegendary Creature — Merfolk Noble
1 Evolution SageCreature — Elf Druid
1 ExploreSorcery
7 ForestBasic Land — Forest
1 Growth SpiralInstant
1 Hardened ScalesEnchantment
1 Herald of Secret StreamsCreature — Merfolk Warrior
1 Hinterland HarborLand
1 Inspiring CallInstant
13 IslandBasic Land — Island
1 Karn's BastionLand
1 Kindred DiscoveryEnchantment
1 Kiora's FollowerCreature — Merfolk
1 Kodama's ReachSorcery — Arcane
1 Kopala, Warden of WavesLegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
1 Kumena, Tyrant of OrazcaLegendary Creature — Merfolk Shaman
1 Llanowar RebornLand
1 Master of the Pearl TridentCreature — Merfolk
1 Merfolk Cave-DiverCreature — Merfolk Scout
1 Merfolk MistbinderCreature — Merfolk Shaman
1 Merfolk SkydiverCreature — Merfolk Mutant
1 Merfolk SovereignCreature — Merfolk Noble
1 Merrow ReejereyCreature — Merfolk Soldier
1 Metallic MimicArtifact Creature — Shapeshifter
1 Mist DancerCreature — Merfolk Wizard
1 Mosswort BridgeLand
1 Myriad LandscapeLand
1 Nicanzil, Current ConductorLegendary Creature — Merfolk Scout
1 Path of AncestryLand
1 Prime Speaker ZeganaLegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
1 Quandrix CommandInstant
1 Rapid HybridizationInstant
1 RavenformSorcery
1 RealmwalkerCreature — Shapeshifter
1 Reflections of LittjaraEnchantment
1 Reliquary TowerLand
1 Ripples of PotentialInstant
1 Rogue's PassageLand
1 Ruinous IntrusionInstant
1 Sage of FablesCreature — Merfolk Wizard
1 Seafloor OracleCreature — Merfolk Wizard
1 Secluded CourtyardLand
1 Simic AscendancyEnchantment
1 Simic Growth ChamberLand
1 Simic SignetArtifact
1 Singer of Swift RiversCreature — Merfolk Shaman
1 Sol RingArtifact
1 Stonybrook BanneretCreature — Merfolk Wizard
1 SurgespannerCreature — Merfolk Wizard
1 Svyelun of Sea and SkyLegendary Creature — Merfolk God
1 Swiftfoot BootsArtifact — Equipment
1 Tatyova, Benthic DruidLegendary Creature — Merfolk Druid
1 Temple of MysteryLand
1 Temple of the False GodLand
1 Thassa, God of the SeaLegendary Enchantment Creature — God
1 Thieving SkydiverCreature — Merfolk Rogue
1 Tishana, Voice of ThunderLegendary Creature — Merfolk Shaman
1 Topography TrackerCreature — Merfolk Scout
1 Tributary InstructorCreature — Merfolk Shaman
1 Unclaimed TerritoryLand
1 Vineglimmer SnarlLand
1 Vorel of the Hull CladeLegendary Creature — Human Merfolk
1 Wave GoodbyeSorcery
1 Xolatoyac, the Smiling FloodLegendary Creature — Salamander Serpent
1 Zegana, Utopian SpeakerLegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard