Riku of Many Paths

—

Riku of Many Paths is a 3cmc Temur commander that rewards casting modal spells by letting you pick from up to X of three effects (impulse draw, +1/+1 counter with trample, or a 1/1 Bird token) where X equals the number of modes chosen. It is signature in spellslinger shells built around modal spells (charms, commands, MDFCs, confluence cycle), generating tempo, board presence, and card advantage simultaneously. It requires substantial modal-spell density to function and does little on an empty hand or against non-modal spell lineups.

• Riku triggers on ANY modal spell — this includes charms, commands, the Confluence cycle, split cards with choose-a-mode syntax, and instants/sorceries with multiple mode bullets; it does NOT trigger on kicker or X spells since those aren't formally modal.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• The 'up to X' clause means casting a 2-mode spell lets you pick up to 2 of the three bullet options, not just one — a 3-mode spell like Cryptic Command could yield all three effects simultaneously, making high-mode-count spells dramatically more valuable.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• Riku's impulse-draw mode says 'until the end of your next turn,' giving you two full turns of access — playing the exiled card on your opponent's turn via flash is a meaningful upside in spell-heavy builds.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• EDHREC rank: #12,160