I love when we get a theme that takes a current idea in Magic and rewards us for it. In Star Trek, we’ve already gotten two potential Commanders for decks built around making choices. They’ve settled on calling this a dilemma, which fits nicely into being a Starfleet Captain.

Both Seven of Nine and Captain Sisko reward you for facing dilemmas, and we’re likely to see more cards referencing this game mechanic. So let’s go over what we’ve got for such choices, as well as choosing some potential specs. 

First, we need to review the rules for what is and is not a dilemma. Villainous Choice is not a dilemma, nor is it the act of choosing targets. Comet Storm isn’t a boatload of triggers.

Entwine does work! You choose both, but it’s still only one choice. “One or more” is one choice too, so you only get one trigger off of Cryptic Command. Spree is good for one choice too, even if you end up paying for more than one. There are several Alliance triggers that are modal, such as Gala Greeters, and that might be best.

There’s a couple hundred modal creatures, most of them with ETB. Lots of attack triggers, lots of damage triggers. I’ve got a list of creatures that have a useful trigger on combat and other such things, Sisko doesn’t even have to be in play yet. Upkeep trigger, play Sisko, you’ll still get the creatures at end step. Important note: If a dilemma triggers at end step, make sure to stack your triggers appropriately. 

There’s 536 modal spells. Pick literally whatever you want, Jeska’s Will, Akroma’s Will, and Farewell are top-ranked on EDHREC but the world is your oyster. It’s all about what you like best. 

The big draw to me is stuff that triggers for free at the beginning of combat. That way, you have a choice about what to play, if you want a dilemma payoff like Seven of Nine to be on the field when the dilemma happens. When you have creatures that enter play and give you a dilemma, you have to pay for one then the other. Same thing with attack triggers or damage triggers. I want dilemmas ready to go. Ergo, artifacts/enchantments which are already in play seem like the way to go.

Reprint risk is possible for these cards, we’ve got most of a bonus sheet left to go. Nothing’s set in stone, and I could easily see some sort of Black Market Connections reprint with Quark’s smiling face. (I appreciate the commercial focus of the Ferengi!)

Kimoyo Beads – UB reprints are super unlikely, so this is an excellent target for dilemmas, especially as it’s colorless and can go into any deck you want. 

Umezawa’s Jitte – Just take a beat and imagine this with Seven of Nine in play. Every time you remove a counter, you draw a card. Lost Jitte works too. 

Vision, Synthezoid Avenger – This triggers on each of your opponent’s spells, and as cool as it is, when you have to choose to phase him out then the fun ends till your turn. Pretty fun to have something that can only die to sorceries, and if they try it, you just cast a modal instant.

Black Market Connections – The gold standard for making good choices, remember that you only get one dilemma trigger even if you pick all three.

Felidar Retreat – The ‘Retreat to’ cycle is also Landfall-dilemma, but this is the best by far.

Glorious Sunrise – Four choices, all of them good depending on where you are in the game, and all the more awesome if the choice gives you a bonus.

SOLDIER Military Program – I picked the Surge foils of this on cast, as it’s cheap, not going to get reprinted, and is a steady stream of advantages.

Sylvan Scavenging – It’s an end step trigger, so be careful, but it’s another cheap way to get the good things constantly flowing.

Next, a list of creatures that don’t need to enter, attack, or deal damage to get a dilemma trigger:

Astarion, the Decadent – You don’t need to get the thirst trap art, but that’s the one more likely to pop.

Dreamshackle Geist – Free triggers plus easier attacks? Also a very political card at the table.

Glissa, Herald of Predation – Free combat triggers, all of them useful if not overpowered.

Kargan intimidator – The effects are mediocre, yes, but if you have the mana you can trigger three dilemmas a turn.

Koma, Cosmos Serpent – You have to sacrifice a serpent to get the dilemma, but if it’s worth it, you get a trigger on your opponents’ turn too.

Mister Hyde, Monster Within – Free upkeep trigger that likely draws you cards too.

Skinshifter – Like the Intimidator, you can pay the mana and get a dilemma. Limit is once per turn, but you can do this on every turn for many triggers.

The Fantastic Four – Yes, this needs to be in play and the requirement of four needs satisfaction, but this goes off a lot in a commander game.

Umaro, Raging Yeti – This is a case where a random decision is still a decision. Outlaws’ Merriment also applies, but Umaro has lots of fun modes. Don’t fear the discard trigger.

Vannifar, Evolved Enigma – The triggers at beginning of combat are super useful, don’t sleep on them. 

Cliff (@WordOfCommander at Twitter and BlueSky) has been writing for MTGPrice since 2013, and is an eager Commander player, Draft enthusiast, and Cube fanatic. A high school science teacher by day, he’s also the co-host of the MTG Fast Finance podcast. If you’re ever at an event and you see a giant flashing ‘CUBE DRAFT’ sign, go over, say hi, and be ready to draft.