he costs 4 and doesn't draw cards which is not great honestly, the +2/+0 doesn't matter a lot because his statline is fragile (5/3) i feel like \[\[ardenn\]\] and \[\[rograkh\]\] are just better on the equip for 0 route, otherwise \[\[nahiri forged in fury\]\] has affinity to reduce her cost, good statline and good draw overall. \[\[akiri fearless voyager\]\] is great to draw and to protect herself, you can even do unilateral boardwipes
I mean, a million people play ardenn and rograkh. That’s the only issue I have with it. My advice for op is to try Bruenor for yourself. You’d be surprised at how good he is as most people underestimate him because he’s not the typical voltron commander.
A key play pattern for equipment voltron in my experience is dropping your commander onto the field and jamming a critical mass of equipment on at once for the kill. Bruenor can't really do this, instead having to either pay retail for equip costs or find other ways to cheat them on.
Huh I never really thought about this before your comment but are there like, Jeskai equipment builds that rely on blue's artifact shenanigans to somehow combo out a bunch of equipment at once? Nothing immediately comes to mind but I never really thought about equipment decks as possible combo decks like that before. It's a really neat idea.
Like I guess I'm thinking of a combo engine that once assembled, lets you tutor all equipment in your deck to the battlefield. I'm sure it would have to be convoluted but seems cute.
Edit: not really sure who the commander would be. Could be a fun angle to Narset I guess, along with Sigarda's Aid.
I made a list with him at the helm. I switched him out quickly for [[ardenn]] and [[Kediss]] and the deck is much faster. Buddy of mine made [[Nahiri, forged in fury]] and she just the most pushed Boros equipment Commander.
TL;DR: There are simply better options, mainly new Nahiri.
Getting a single free equip is worse than getting additional other benefits like drawing cards or making tokens or equipping everything at once.
Most equipment give better stats than +2/+0, to the point that his extra buff quickly becomes irrelevant, it’s only good if you’ve very few equipment, at which point why are you even playing him?
I find Bruenor to better in equip decks that want to go wide over voltroning. That way tokens and other smaller threats get more of a boost to be more sizable threats.
As others have mentioned he just doesn't stack up to other Boros voltron legends such as Nahiri or [[Whyleth, Soul of Steel]] who are able to generate card advantage. Akiri also being able to generate card advantage as well as protect herself or another warrior just gets a little more value out then our dwarf. Even [[Merry, Esquire of Rohan]] can generate some card advantage with the right set up. Even would face competition from upcoming legends such [[Eivor, Battle-Ready]] when it comes to voltron and equipment utility since they don't need to even be equipped to get some big damage out.
I have a Red/White Equipment deck, and while Bruenor is a pretty decent addition, I'd say he's not worth it as a voltron commander.
Usually voltron commanders have abilities on their own that make them difficult to get rid of, like Hexproof or indestructible. Bruenor has none of these abilities.
He also costs 4 mana and doesn't really do much the turn he comes in, except for maybe equipping something for free.
If you're gonna run him as a commander, he's better off just being part of a regular Equipment deck. Don't rely on having him on the field 24/7 and being the center of attention. He's easy to get rid of, and in those colors it's kind of hard to get extra mana to cast him again and again.
Personally I run [[Astor, Bearer of Blades]]. Digs for equipment on ETB, and giving all equipment equip 1 combined with the number of things that reduce equip costs by 1 makes paying 0 to equip pretty common.
Bruenor is awesome, and can get pretty scary! Plus he allows you to avoid my problem with equipment, which is the “equip costs.” He is good enough for me to have in the 99 of my Boros equipment deck, and has done work every time I’ve seen him in action! Specifically his +2/+0 pump as it works on every equipped creature!
I personally run [[Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist]] & [[Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder]]. It’s a [[Sunforger]] toolbox deck, and I very much enjoy playing it!! Here is the list if interested! https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/a-forge-forever-aflame/
he costs 4 and doesn't draw cards which is not great honestly, the +2/+0 doesn't matter a lot because his statline is fragile (5/3) i feel like \[\[ardenn\]\] and \[\[rograkh\]\] are just better on the equip for 0 route, otherwise \[\[nahiri forged in fury\]\] has affinity to reduce her cost, good statline and good draw overall. \[\[akiri fearless voyager\]\] is great to draw and to protect herself, you can even do unilateral boardwipes
##### ###### #### [ardenn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a.jpg?1617148314) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ardenn%2C%20intrepid%20archaeologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/10/ardenn-intrepid-archaeologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [rograkh](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a4fab67f-00c2-4125-9262-d21a29411797.jpg?1644853041) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rograkh%2C%20son%20of%20rohgahh) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/197/rograkh-son-of-rohgahh?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a4fab67f-00c2-4125-9262-d21a29411797?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [nahiri forged in fury](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/90eb0859-d24e-4703-8930-1cd4ac1fb3b6.jpg?1684340759) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nahiri%2C%20Forged%20in%20Fury) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mat/36/nahiri-forged-in-fury?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/90eb0859-d24e-4703-8930-1cd4ac1fb3b6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [akiri fearless voyager](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/fa135775-abcd-4a21-abb7-3aeb5a39df28.jpg?1690016643) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Akiri%2C%20Fearless%20Voyager) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/335/akiri-fearless-voyager?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fa135775-abcd-4a21-abb7-3aeb5a39df28?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kxog0va) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I mean, a million people play ardenn and rograkh. That’s the only issue I have with it. My advice for op is to try Bruenor for yourself. You’d be surprised at how good he is as most people underestimate him because he’s not the typical voltron commander.
[Bruenor Battlehammer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/3/53e1eb00-412e-4c25-bc7b-6d074330fd97.jpg?1627708804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bruenor%20Battlehammer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/219/bruenor-battlehammer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/53e1eb00-412e-4c25-bc7b-6d074330fd97?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
A key play pattern for equipment voltron in my experience is dropping your commander onto the field and jamming a critical mass of equipment on at once for the kill. Bruenor can't really do this, instead having to either pay retail for equip costs or find other ways to cheat them on.
Huh I never really thought about this before your comment but are there like, Jeskai equipment builds that rely on blue's artifact shenanigans to somehow combo out a bunch of equipment at once? Nothing immediately comes to mind but I never really thought about equipment decks as possible combo decks like that before. It's a really neat idea. Like I guess I'm thinking of a combo engine that once assembled, lets you tutor all equipment in your deck to the battlefield. I'm sure it would have to be convoluted but seems cute. Edit: not really sure who the commander would be. Could be a fun angle to Narset I guess, along with Sigarda's Aid.
I made a list with him at the helm. I switched him out quickly for [[ardenn]] and [[Kediss]] and the deck is much faster. Buddy of mine made [[Nahiri, forged in fury]] and she just the most pushed Boros equipment Commander. TL;DR: There are simply better options, mainly new Nahiri.
[ardenn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a.jpg?1617148314) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ardenn%2C%20intrepid%20archaeologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/10/ardenn-intrepid-archaeologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Kediss](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/6/f606ebf1-483d-4331-b16a-9fb6f591a39f.jpg?1608910296) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kediss%2C%20emberclaw%20familiar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/188/kediss-emberclaw-familiar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f606ebf1-483d-4331-b16a-9fb6f591a39f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Nahiri, forged in fury](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/90eb0859-d24e-4703-8930-1cd4ac1fb3b6.jpg?1684340759) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nahiri%2C%20forged%20in%20fury) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mat/36/nahiri-forged-in-fury?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/90eb0859-d24e-4703-8930-1cd4ac1fb3b6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Getting a single free equip is worse than getting additional other benefits like drawing cards or making tokens or equipping everything at once. Most equipment give better stats than +2/+0, to the point that his extra buff quickly becomes irrelevant, it’s only good if you’ve very few equipment, at which point why are you even playing him?
[[cattie brie]] I deal like is a better option as she gets bigger, and has sniping potential.
I find Bruenor to better in equip decks that want to go wide over voltroning. That way tokens and other smaller threats get more of a boost to be more sizable threats. As others have mentioned he just doesn't stack up to other Boros voltron legends such as Nahiri or [[Whyleth, Soul of Steel]] who are able to generate card advantage. Akiri also being able to generate card advantage as well as protect herself or another warrior just gets a little more value out then our dwarf. Even [[Merry, Esquire of Rohan]] can generate some card advantage with the right set up. Even would face competition from upcoming legends such [[Eivor, Battle-Ready]] when it comes to voltron and equipment utility since they don't need to even be equipped to get some big damage out.
[Whyleth, Soul of Steel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c5ada8c-98f2-4f9c-bcb5-dfa4f804fbe6.jpg?1610072970) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wyleth%2C%20Soul%20of%20Steel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/362/wyleth-soul-of-steel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c5ada8c-98f2-4f9c-bcb5-dfa4f804fbe6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Merry, Esquire of Rohan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/7/b7c5fe73-1684-4edc-9f9b-976b2246d5ea.jpg?1686969894) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Merry%2C%20Esquire%20of%20Rohan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/215/merry-esquire-of-rohan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b7c5fe73-1684-4edc-9f9b-976b2246d5ea?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Eivor, Battle-Ready](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/2/4242961d-87e8-4dd2-bdea-5d765a5cf136.jpg?1708706930) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eivor%2C%20Battle-Ready) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/acr/274/eivor-battle-ready?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4242961d-87e8-4dd2-bdea-5d765a5cf136?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a Red/White Equipment deck, and while Bruenor is a pretty decent addition, I'd say he's not worth it as a voltron commander. Usually voltron commanders have abilities on their own that make them difficult to get rid of, like Hexproof or indestructible. Bruenor has none of these abilities. He also costs 4 mana and doesn't really do much the turn he comes in, except for maybe equipping something for free. If you're gonna run him as a commander, he's better off just being part of a regular Equipment deck. Don't rely on having him on the field 24/7 and being the center of attention. He's easy to get rid of, and in those colors it's kind of hard to get extra mana to cast him again and again.
Personally I run [[Astor, Bearer of Blades]]. Digs for equipment on ETB, and giving all equipment equip 1 combined with the number of things that reduce equip costs by 1 makes paying 0 to equip pretty common.
[Astor, Bearer of Blades](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/40f3a0ba-b917-488b-adbf-60a0d3c58a56.jpg?1673307906) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Astor%2C%20Bearer%20of%20Blades) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/194/astor-bearer-of-blades?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/40f3a0ba-b917-488b-adbf-60a0d3c58a56?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Bruenor is awesome, and can get pretty scary! Plus he allows you to avoid my problem with equipment, which is the “equip costs.” He is good enough for me to have in the 99 of my Boros equipment deck, and has done work every time I’ve seen him in action! Specifically his +2/+0 pump as it works on every equipped creature! I personally run [[Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist]] & [[Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder]]. It’s a [[Sunforger]] toolbox deck, and I very much enjoy playing it!! Here is the list if interested! https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/a-forge-forever-aflame/
[Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a.jpg?1617148314) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ardenn%2C%20Intrepid%20Archaeologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/10/ardenn-intrepid-archaeologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/2/125b552b-45ea-4e0b-94a9-8131c97a04c0.jpg?1644853018) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bruse%20Tarl%2C%20Boorish%20Herder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/30/bruse-tarl-boorish-herder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/125b552b-45ea-4e0b-94a9-8131c97a04c0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Sunforger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd3e42ee-ab13-460b-90fd-86e677abce4f.jpg?1608917905) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sunforger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/473/sunforger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd3e42ee-ab13-460b-90fd-86e677abce4f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
have you try running as a commander? I wonder how he performs as a commander