Saruman, the White Hand

Coverage4 out of 5

Support cards17 cards

Saruman is strongest when cheap spells keep the deck moving and discounted high-mana-value spells make a large Orc Army without paying the full printed cost.

Color identity: B / R / U
Deck role: raw: noncreature spells
Game plan: Develop Grixis mana and interaction.

Market Summary

Saruman, the White Hand market checks

Market trends

Price and supply agreeMarket status17Cards monitored8Active signals6Supply pressure6Higher confidenceSep 29, 2026Last market update

Price and supply agree: Dig Through Time is the first card to verify because Dig Through Time: demand may be rising in the latest market signal row.

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What should I look at?

Check the strongest synergy, reviewed combo, market signal, and recent update currently supported by this page.

Core Synergy

Orcish Bowmasters

Verified four-card combo

Check it first because it is both combo evidence and Orc/Army context.

Role: Combo Creature And Army Pressure
Set: LTR

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Market Watch

Dig Through Time

Demand may be rising

Delve spell

Dig Through Time: demand may be rising in the latest market signal row.

NeoPrice: $0.42

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Recent Intelligence

Saruman Turns Noncreature Spells Into Orc Army Pressure

Commander

Orcish Bowmasters

Saruman is strongest when cheap spells keep the deck moving and discounted high-mana-value spells make a large Orc Army without paying the full printed cost.

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Commander Overview

How This Commander Plays

Saruman turns every noncreature spell into military production. Cheap spells create steady Army growth, while discounted high-mana-value spells produce massive Amass triggers without requiring their full printed cost.

Core Game Plan

Develop Grixis mana and interaction.
Resolve Saruman with protection or a follow-up spell.
Cast noncreature spells to create or enlarge an Army.
Use reductions and alternative costs to maximize Amass per mana spent.
Protect the Army or grant evasion and trample.
Recast qualifying spells from graveyard or exile.
Finish through Army combat, power conversion, spell payoffs, sacrifice loops, or a verified combo.

Key Mechanics

raw: noncreature spellsraw: cast triggersraw: mana valueraw: amassraw: amass Orcsplus-one-plus-one-counters

Build Paths

Mana-value spellslinger

Cast cheap setup spells early, then lean on high-mana-value spells that can be cast for less than their printed cost.

Mana spent is not the Amass number. Cost reductions and alternative costs change cost paid, not the spell's mana value.

Cantrip and storm

Use cantrips, rituals, and spell velocity to trigger Saruman repeatedly in one turn.

Storm copies are not cast, so only the original storm spell and other spells actually cast trigger Saruman.

Amass Orcs midrange

Use Saruman as an Army engine, then protect the Orc Army with ward, evasion, and counter support.

Amass does not automatically create another Army if an Army already exists.

Army aristocrats

Convert a large Army or repeated Orcish Bowmasters loops into sacrifice value, damage, cards, or mill.

Sacrifice support is a conversion branch, not proof of market movement by itself.

One exact Commander Spellbook combo is imported for review: Saruman, the White Hand plus Phyrexian Altar, Chthonian Nightmare, and Orcish Bowmasters. Do not abbreviate it to three cards or publish generic Grixis combos without.

Commander Market Impact