Killian, Ink Duelist

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Killian is a 2-mana 2/2 with lifelink and menace that reduces the cost of all creature-targeting spells by {2}, making auras, buff spells, and removal dramatically cheaper. This cost reduction is the defining feature — it makes Killian a premier commander for aura-voltron shells (slapping cheap or free auras) and also meaningfully enables spellslinger builds that target their own creatures. As a 2-mana threat with two relevant keywords, he is an efficient attacker and Brawl commander.

• Killian's cost reduction applies to ANY spell that targets a creature — including removal spells, counterspells with targeting riders, and protection spells — making him useful in interactive builds, not just pure voltron.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• Because the reduction applies to 'spells you cast that target a creature,' enchantments like Auras that target a creature on cast also get the discount, enabling many Auras to be cast for {0} or {1}.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• In Brawl/Commander, pairing Killian with totem-armor Auras (e.g. Hyena Umbra) is especially resilient: cheap auras stick post-wrath and he re-equips with the discount immediately.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• EDHREC rank: #3,439